Horace Greatorex
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Henry Johnson Greatorex and Jane Hanson married in Worksop in 1885. The couple lived in Sandhill Street, Worksop where Henry was a publican in the Sherwood Inn. Over the next 10 or so years, they had 4 children, all boys, Albert in 1885, Herbert 1887, Horace 1891 and Walter 1894. An unusual occurrence happened in 1896 to the family. On the 24/7/1896, the mother of the family, Jane, died age 31, and only four months later, Henry also died on the 6/11/1896, leaving the four boys orphans. Jane had left a will leaving her effects of £90 5s to her husband and when he died, the beneficiary was his brother-in-law, William Lockwood Hanson, who was an inn keeper. The children’s future appears settled by family relatives taking them in. In 1901, Herbert and Walter were living with their uncle and family, Frederick Greatorex, who had now taken over as Inn Keeper of the Sherwood Inn, on Sandy Lane. Walter later joined Machine Gun Corps in 1914, married in 1917, survived the war and died in 1970. Herbert married 1908 and died 1951. Albert went to live with another of his father’s brothers, John Greatorex and wife in Thorpe Salvin. In 1901, Horace age 10, was living at 25 Colbeck Street, Worksop with his maternal grandfather and grandmother, George and Harriet Hanson, age 69 and 67 re-spectively. By 1911, he was still in Worksop working as a stone quarry worker, with his elderly grandparents at No. 2, 3 Court, Gateford Rd, Worksop. Harriet Hanson died in 1912 age 76 Worksop and George followed in1915 age 73. From this date, Horace appears to have a connection with Scunthorpe as he enlisted at that location, pre-war, and also left a will, the beneficiary being ‘Herbert Greatorex, a miner’ [his brother] of £88 11s 1d, and testator ’Horace Greatorex of Scunthorpe’.
Pte Horace Greatorex Worksop Guardian 5 November 1915 Some time ago an unenviable experience befell Pte Horace Greatorex. 12139 8th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, the adopted son of Mr and Mrs Walter Webster of 63 Clarence Road, Worksop, who during the battle of Loos – when the British made a glorious and victorious charge – was wounded and captured by the Germans. He was taken to Germany, but official news reached Worksop on Wednesday morning that the poor fellow had died at St . Clothjde, Douac, from “pneumathorac” on September 30th. The price of victory is great indeed. Poor Horace had only been in France about a month when he was wounded, although he answered the call on September 5th 1914. The gallant soldier, who formerly lived with Mr and Mrs Webster at Woodend was well known in Worksop, where he had resided practically all his life. At the time of enlistment he worked at the Steetley Quarry and previously with Mr J Littler, baker and confectioner. His parents who are now dead, formerly held the licence of the Sherwood Inn, John Street and his brother, Herbert is employed by Mr A Selby of the Queens Head, Worksop. Another brother, Pte Walter Greatorex is on the way to ---- . To his many friends sincere sympathy will be expressed. He died however, for a noble and righteous cause – the cause of honour and freedom – and a grander death could not be imagined. That must be their consolation in this their hour of bitter trial.
CWG additional information:- Son of Henry Johnson Greatorex and Jane Ann Greatorex. Buried at Douai Communal Cemetery, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
