Aaron Gannon
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Aaron, or Dick as he was known to his family, was born in Huthwaite in 1899 and was the son of Thomas a coal miner and Eugienne Gannon née Richards. His father Thomas was born in 1872 in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, and his mother Eugenie was born in 1872 in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. They were married in the Mansfield Registration District in March 1893 and had nine children: Ernest Hedly b1893, Rhoda b1895, Mabel b1897, Aaron b1899, Agnes b1901, Leonard b1904, Annie b1906, Florence Ada b1908 and Avis Williamson b1910. All the children were born in Huthwaite. The family was living at two different addresses at the time of the 1911 census. Thomas was living at 15 Newcastle Street, Huthwaite, and shown as a coal miner 39 yrs, who was living with four of his children: Mabel 14 yrs, Aaron 12 yrs, Agnes 10yrs and Leonard 7 yrs. Also living at the same address was a housekeeper, Mary Rouse 31 yrs. Meanwhile, at Main Street, Huthwaite, was his wife Eugenie 39 yrs with their five other children: Ernest Hedly 18 yrs, Rhoda 16 yrs Annie 5 yrs, Florence Ada 3 yrs and Avis Williamson under 1 year.
Aaron (Dick) enlisted in Mansfield, although he was only 16 years old and under-age, giving his place of birth as Huthwaite and his place of residence as Sutton in Ashfield. He served with the 17th battalion, Sherwood Foresters and served with the battalion on the Western Front. He was wounded on 3rd July 1916 while in a working party and died of his wounds the following day, 4th July; he was 17 years old. Aaron was buried in Bethune Town Cemetery (grave ref. V.F.44).
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Duty nobly done' Notts Free Press 14th July 1916: 'SUTTON SOLDIER BOY'S DEATH IN THE TRENCHES AT 17 'News has been received of the death in action of Private Aaron Gannon, 5, Penn Street, Sutton. This young soldier, who formerly worked at the New Hucknall Colliery, was but 17 years of age, and was only 16 when he enlisted with several of his friends. He joined the 17th Sherwoods, and had been out in the trenches about four months prior to being killed last week. 'The sad intimation was conveyed to the gallant soldier boy's father in the following letters:- ”While bravely doing his duty your son was severely wounded, and I regret to say that though everything possible was done to pull him round he died. He was always willing and cheerful over his work, and his death is a loss to us of a good soldier. He met his death while engaged on special duty, for which he bravely volunteered. I deeply sympathise with you in your sacrifice for king and country, and as he was in my platoon I wish to personally assure you that he died a noble death. - Yours, etc., F.C. Dennis.“ ”It is with great regret that I am writing to you to inform you of the death of your son Private Gannon, who was one of the best lads I had in my Company. He has been under my command since his enlistment, and I have always found him a keen and good soldier. On July 3rd some special work had to be undertaken, and he asked to be permitted to be in the party. During the execution of this work he, the officer in charge and several others were wounded. All that could be done was done immediately, and I saw him just as he was being taken out of the trenches and he seemed quite cheerful and going on all right, and it was a great shock to me when I heard next day that he had died. I wish to convey to you, your wife and family, the heartfelt sympathy of myself and my officers in your loss, and at the same time to assure you that I have lost one of my best lads, who always did his duty well and cheerfully. - Yours, etc., Captain F.B. Ladlow. P.S. - Any personal effects that were in his possession will be sent on to you by the authorities at the Base.“ Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Mansfield Reporter, 14 July 1916: ‘Private Gannon, Sutton. Private Aaron Gannon, Penn-street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, 17th Sherwoods, enlisted at the age of 16, and was in the trenches four months. He is reported killed. Prior to enlistment he worked at the New Hucknall Colliery.’ (www.britishnewspaperachive.co.uk)
