Bertie William Townrow
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Walter Townrow and Alice Breedon lived together, he, as the head of family and worked as a bricklayer, and she, as his domestic housekeeper, both remaining single. They lived at Sutton, Retford and had four children who were registered as, Bertie William Townrow born 1885, George Sydney Townrow 1898, Arthur Breedon 1901 and Ellen Breedon born 1903. In both the 1901 and 1911 all the children are named Breedon with the exception of Bertie William who whilst living as a boarder in the Nettleton family at 29a Thrumpton Lane, Retford and working as an apprentice moulder in an iron factory called himself, Townrow. In 1912, Walter Townrow died in Retford age 44, but it was not until 1920 that Alice Breedon married to James Gettings of Reford.
Bertie was a trained soldier as he was in France with the first British Expeditionary Force in Sept 1914 with the 1st Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in action probably in the actions on the Aisne Heights, 20 September 1914. As he has no known grave, he is commemorated on the Memorial at La Ferte Sous-Jouarre, France. Pte Townrow The Retford Times 30th Oct 1914 It is with regret that we record the death of another Retfordian, Pte Townrow, aged 20, son of Mrs Townrow of Bollam Lane. Mrs Townrow has received the following intimation from the War Office:- “It is my painful dutyto inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death of Private Townrow of the 1st West Yorkshire Regiment; and I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss. The cause of death was “killed in action.” Private Townrow was in the Sherwood Ranger Yeomanry for two years before enlisting in the Regulars a year ago. Another son of Mrs Townrow, Walter, enlisted at Sheffield at the commencement of the war, and is stationed in Northumberland with the 3rd West Yorkshire Regiment.
CWG additional information:- Son of Mrs. A. Gettings (formerly Townrow), of 21, King Edward's Terrace, Dominiex Rd., Retford, Notts. Reseach by Colin Dannatt
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