George Arthur Hutchinson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George Arthur was born in 1878, the son of Charles and Selina Hutchinson. His parents had seven children of whom only six were still living at the time of the 1911 Census. Six children were named on the census between 1871 and 1911: Emma Selina, Ada and Charles who were born in Sheffield and Mabel, George Arthur and Horace who were born in Mansfield. In 1871 Charles and Selina and their two daughters, Emma and Ada, were living with Charles' parents, George and Elizabeth Hutchinson, at 69 Ratcliffe Gate, Mansfield. His father was a provision dealer. By 1881 Charles was at the same address and running his father's business as a provision dealer. He and Selina now had five children; Emma, Ada, Charles, Mabel and George. Charles and Selina were still at the same address ten years later in 1891. They had six children having had another son, Horace. All their children were still living at home; George and Horace were still at school but their older siblings were all in work - Emma was a hosiery worker, Ada a dressmaker, Charles an apprentice joiner and cabinet maker and Mabel a pupil teacher. By 1901 the family had moved to 25 Ratcliffe Gate, Mansfield, although Charles was still a grocer. Only Emma, Charles, George and Horace were in the household on the night of the census. Emma was now working as a general dealer on her own account, Horace was an accounts clerk and bookkeeper and Charles and George were in the same employment as ten years previously. Charles Hutchinson senior died on 18 June 1909 aged 67 years but his widow continued to manage the business. Only Emma, George and the widowed Horace were living with their mother at the time of the 1911 census. George was now a millwright while Horace was a newsagent. George's mother died in 1921 aged 78 years, his sister Emma Selina in 1945, his brother Horace in 1948 and his sister Mabel (Peabody) in 1962.
He enlisted into Sherwood Foresters (service number 15381) but transferred to the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 16 September 1914. He embarked for Gallipoli on 17 November 1914 and served there from 28 February 1915 until his death on 13 July 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial (Panel 2 to 7). Hutchinson was one of 'Kitchener's Marines' who were transferred from the Sherwood Foresters to the RMLI. Des Turner notes '600 RMLI transfers came from 2 regiments - 200 from the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI) and 400 from the Sherwood Foresters. They were predominantly ex-miners and labourers, fit men wanted for their ability to dig trenches and tunnels. The 200 KOYLI recruits were transferred to Plymouth Division RMLI and were given service numbers PLY/1(S) to PLY200(S). This was also the case for the Sherwood Foresters 200 who were dispatched to Portsmouth where already 30 men were recruited and so they became PO/31(S) to PO/230(S). 200 remaining Foresters went to Chatham and were numbered CH/1 to CH/200(S).'
Mansfield cemetery, inscription on family gravestone: 'In loving memory of Charles Hutchinson, who died June 18. 1909 aged 67 years. At rest. Also Selina wife of the above died May 27. 1921 aged 78 years. Peace perfect peace. Also Emma Selina daughter of the above died Aug 16. 1945 aged 75 years. At rest. Mabel wife of Samuel Peabody, died March 8. 1962 aged 85 years. Also George Arthur, their son, killed in action July 3. 1915, aged 36 years.’ There is a separate tablet adjacent to the grave: ‘In affectionate memory of Horace Hutchinson who passed peacefully Oct 4th 194(8) aged 64 years.’ Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times, 6 August 1915: 'HOW A ROYAL MARINE DIED. ANXIOUS TO GET TO THE FRONT. 'Much sympathy is extended to Mrs. S. Hutchinson, of Ratcliffe-gate, on the death of her son, Pte. George Arthur Hutchinson, of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, who was killed whilst in action in the Dardanelles, on July 13th. The family received the official notification of his death last week. Private Hutchinson, who was a millwright by trade, his services being in much request, as he was highly skilled in his work, enlisted last September, and was stationed at Portsmouth for some time. He left one battalion of the Marines for another as it was his wish to get into action as soon as possible. He went out early in the year. The only details of his death, which have so far been received, are contained in a letter written by Pte. J. Herrod, to friends at Mansfield, and in which he says the Marines have had some hard fighting, and have been 'very sure of this job, but it does not seem as if the Turks will give us rest, so we shall have to keep plodding on. Geo. Hutchinson was killed in a charge the Marines made on the Turks. He got riddled with shrapnel and was killed on the spot.'” Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour,' 4th August 1915:- 'HUTCHINSON. – Killed in action, July 13th, Private George Arthur Hutchinson, R.M.L.I., the second son of Mrs. C. Hutchinson, Ratcliffe-gate, Mansfield.' Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
