George Thomas Percival Wilmore
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Also WILLMORE George Thomas Percival Wilmore was the son of Sophia Wilmore (later Brewster). His mother Sophia was born in Caistor in 1860 (J/F/M Caistor), the daughter of George and Susan Wilmore (née Clark m. 1848 Grasby Lincolnshire). In 1881 Sophia was living with her widowed mother and several siblings on Brigg Road, Caistor. Her son George Thomas was born the following year in 1882 (O/N/D Caistor) and baptised at Caistor parish church on 12 December 1882. Thomas was brought up by his maternal grandmother and in 1891 Susan (63), now a widow, was living on Brigg Road, Caistor, with George (8). Susan later lived with her married daughter, Emma Lusby, in Caistor. However, George was in the care of a Mrs Jenny Wilson of 17 London Road, Newark, probably from the age of nine until he joined the army in February 1900. His mother married John Fell Brewster in 1885 (A/M/J Caistor). John was a widower and had three surviving children from his marriage. He and Sophia had six children, five of whom survived infancy, and from 1891 lived in Nottingham. One of their sons, Frederick David, was also killed in the war. Sophia died in 1927 (O/N/D Nottingham). For the family's history see Frederick's record on this Roll of Honour. George attested in the Army in February 1900 giving his next of kin as his grandmother, Mrs Susan Wilmore of Union Road, Caistor. He served with the Lincolnshire Regiment in South Africa and India and then on Home service from October 1910 to August 1912 when he was discharged, service expired. He then enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters in January 1914 giving his address as 17 London Road, Newark. This was the home of William Wilson (53), a groom, and his wife Jennie (58) who had cared for George as a child. George married Emma Key at Lincoln St Nicholas on 23 September 1911. George (27) was in Barracks in Lincoln. His wife Emma (17) was born in 1894 (A/M/J Lincoln, bap. Lincoln 3 March 1895), the daughter of William and Sarah Ann Key (née Moseley). At the time of her marriage she was living with her parents at 2 Anderson's Lane, Lincoln. Emma died in 1913 (J/F/M Lincoln). George's army service record shows that he named his next of kin as his mother, Mrs S Brewster of 23 Fisher Gate, New Basford, but this was later amended to Mrs Wilson, 17 London Road, Newark. However, his pesonal effects were returned to his mother and she also received his medals. Sophia also completed a form for the Army in May 1919 listing her son's surviving blood relatives: Mother: Sophia Brewster, 60 Gladstone Street, Hyson Green Half-brothers: John Willie Brewster (30) and Henry David Brewster (18), 60 Gladstone Street Half-sisters: Mrs Alice Ringrose of Southwell Road, Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, and Mrs Annie Ratcliffe of Southwark Street, Old Basford, Nottingham Sophia died in 1927 (O/N/D Nottingham), burial 26 October.
George Thomas Percival Wilmore attested in the Lincolnshire Regiment on 12 February 1900 on a four year engagment transferring to a 12 year short service engagement (7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserves) on 12 October 1907 to extend his service to complete eight years with the Colours. He re-engaged at Portsmouth on 2 March 1911 to complete 21 years Army service but was discharged free on 2 August 1912 after 12 year's service. He served at home from 12 February 1900 to 26 November 1900 (288 days), South Africa 27 November 1900 to 28 October 1902 (1 year 336 days), India 29 October 1902 to 26 October 1910 (7 years 363 days) and Home service from 27 October 1910 to 2 August 1912 (1 year 281 days). Total 12 years 273 days. He was promoted Corporal (1st Bn) on 29 June 1908. He enlisted in the Territorial Force (4 years in the UK) on 30 January 1914 at the age of 28 years 61 days. He was posted to the 8th battalion Sherwood Foresters and on the outbreak of war was embodied in the 1/8 battalion Sherwood Foresters and served in 'B' Company. He held the rank of lance corporal from 7 September 1914, corporal 16 September and acting sergeant 10 March 1915. He served in France from 2 March 1915 and was killed at Kemmel the following month on 21 April 1915l. He was buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Heuvelland, Belgium (grave ref. E.60). He was awarded the South Africa medals 1901 and 1902 with clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal and qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
George's half-brother, Frederick David Brewster, the son of his mother and her husband John Brewster, served in the King's Royal Rifle Corps from September 1914 to May 1915 when he was discharged having enlisted under age. He later served in the Northumberland Fusiliers and died of wounds on 14 October 1917. He was buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery (See record on this Roll of Honour) WMR 48890: Caister Men WW1 and WW2, Caistor Lincolnshire - George Wilmore Extract from the 1/8th battalion Nottingham and Derbyshire Regiment war diary for the 20th April 1915 :- “A very unlucky day for the Battn. – we lose 6 men in the trenches. Sergt. Wilmore (B Co.) is the greatest loss – the others killed were 2243 Pte. J. Wright, C Co., 2712 Trickett, D Co., 2791 Beresford, B Co., 1418 Adams, A Co., Mayman A Co. In 3 cases the men were shot over parapet – They must use periscopes and loopholes for day work.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. 'The History of 1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters 1914-1919', Captain WCC Weetman: (p.49) 'The Boche snipers had the upper hand and could do almost what they liked. Their shooting was extremely accurate, and as the trenches were enfiladed on all sides, and there was in many cases little parados, we soon had casualties, most of which were sentries shot through the head.' (pp.53-54) 'Several changes took place during April, owing to casuatlies ... A great loss, too, was Sergt. Wilmore, a very gallant soldier, who was sniped one day when outside his trench.' Article published 1st August 1915 in the Newark Herald :- 'Foster son of Mrs Wilson, 17 London Road, Newark (lived with her from the age of nine). Joined the Lincolnshire Regiment and served 12 years, including the South African War. After discharge, employed as a maltster at Messrs. Gilstrap, Earp and Co., then at Messrs. Branston. Connected with the Beacon Hill Mission and a well known cricketer, wicket-keeper for Newark Castle C.C. Prior to the war joined the Territorials. Volunteered for imperial service on the outbreak. Killed in action.' His personal effects were returned to his mother and comprised: holdall containing – brush and comb, fork and spoon, razor and brush, 2 clasp knives, photograph, medal brooch, old rifle sling, housewife. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Sophia Brewster was his legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: name his mother Sophia Brewster
