George Herbert Worsh
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of Henry and Dinah Worsh. Henry Worsh and Dinah Brown were both born in Cheshire and married in Mobberley, Cheshire, on 27 October 1868. They had six children: Betsy Jane (b. 28 July 1869, bap. 29 August 1869 Altrincham), William Henry (b. 15 May 1873, bap. 12 October 1873 Mobberley), Edith Annie (b. 1877, bap. 14 October 1877 Mobberley), Emily (b. 1880, bap. 13 May 1880 Mobberley), George Herbert and Thomas Alfred (b. 1887 Lawton, Cheshire). The dates of George's birth are given on various records as either 1882 or 1884 and his place of birth as Audley or Kidsgove, Staffordshire, but the birth index gives 1884 (J/F/M, registration district Newcastle under Lyme). When first married, Henry and Dinah and their first child, Betsy (1), were living on Newton Hall Lane, Mobberley, Cheshire. Henry was an agricultural labourer. By 1881 Henry and Dinah were living at Bath Pool, Kidsgrove, Newcastle under Lyme, where he was a gamekeeper. They had four children: Betsy (11), William (7), Edith (3) and Emily (1). They had moved to Nottinghamshire by 1891 and were living in Knights Cross Cottage, Newstead, with their five youngest children; William (17) a gardener, Edith (13), Emily (11), George (7) and Thomas (5). The eldest child, Betsy, was a servant in the household of Thomas and Dora Bullock who lived in Congleton. By 1901 Henry and Dinah had moved to Berry Hill, Mansfield, and only their four youngest children were still at home; Edith (23) a waitress, Emily (21) a dressmaker, George (17) - occupation illegible on the census - and Thomas (15) who was still at school. Also in the home was their grandson, John WE Worsh (3). By 1911 they were living at Harlow Wood, Nottingham Road, Mansfield, with Edith, Emily, George, an insurance agent, and Thomas, a grocer's assistant. In May 1919 George's mother completed a form for the army listing George's surviving blood relatives: Parents: Henry and Dinah Worsh of Harlow Wood, Nottingham Road, Mansfield Brothers: William Henry Worsh (46) 6 Beech Road, Hale, Cheshire; Thomas Alfred Worsh (33) Harlow Wood, Nottinghamshire Road, Mansfield. Sisters: Betsy Jane Roe (49) 15 Bentinck Street, Mansfield; Edith Annie Worsh (42) Harlow Wood, Nottingham Road, Mansfield; Emily Frost (39) 30 Granville Street, Moss Side, Manchester. Dinah Worsh died on 17 December 1931 aged 85 years and Henry Worsh died on 29 July 1933 also aged 85 years. George's older brother William died in 1941 (registered June, Bucklow, Cheshire) and his younger brother Thomas in 1951 (registered March, Chesterfield) aged 64.
He enlisted (Short Service Attestation) on 17 November 1914. He was posted to Leicester, 17 November 1914-2 December 1914; Aldershot 4 December 1914; Folkestone 28 February 1915; Percham Down 8 April 1915. He embarked for France on 29 May 1915. He spent several days in a field hospital suffering from rheumatism and myalgia from 28 May 1916 until 8 June 1916 when he rejoined his battalion. He was killed in action on 25 September 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. He qualified for the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Inscription on family grave, Mansfield (Nottingham Road) Cemetery: 'Sacred to the memory of our dear father and mother. Henry Worsh who died July 29th 1933 aged 85 years. Dinah Worsh who died Dec. 17th 1931 aged 85 years. Also their son George Herbert Worsh killed in action in France, Sep. 25th 1916 aged 32 years. At rest.' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother, Dinah, was his legatee.
