Browse this website Close this menu
This data is related to World War 1
Sapper

George Cecil Hempsall

Service Number 6473
Military Unit Royal Engineers
Date of birth Unknown
Date of Death 20 Sep 1917 (Age Unknown)
Place of Birth East Markham Nottinghamshire
Employment, Education or Hobbies In 1911 he was a bricklayer.
Family History

George Cecil was the son of George Stafford Hempsall and Isabella (née Bowman). His father George was born in Egmanton, Nottinghamshire, in about 1861, the son of Joseph and Jane Hempsall. In 1871 the family was living on Top Street, East Markham, where Joseph was a grocer on his own account. His mother Isabella Bowman was born in 1862 (reg. Southwell) in Boughton, Lincolnshire. In 1871, Isabella (9) was living with her paternal grandparents, William and Sarah, at Top Street, East Markham. George Stafford and Isabella were married at East Markham St John the Baptist on 9 February 1885 and had at least seven children, one of whom died in childhood. All the children were born in East Markham: Martha Jane b. 1885, George Cecil b 1888, Francis Edwin b. 9 March 1891, Annie Elizabeth b. 24 June 1893, John William b. 1896 (reg. J/F/M), Isabel May b. 12 February 1898 and Joseph Henry b. 1901 (O/N/D) d. 1904 (A/M/J). In 1891 George (30) was a bricklayer, living with his wife and three children, Martha (5), George (2) and Francis (under 1 year) on Old Hall Lane, East Markham. The family had moved to Top Street, East Markham, by 1901. George was a builder and licensed victualler. His wife and their six children were in the home on the night of the census: Martha, George, Frances, Annie (7), John (5) and Isabel (3). Joseph was born later that year but died in 1904. George Stafford died in 1903 and his widow married Richard Rose-Smithson (b. 28 May 1875) in 1908. They had one child, Mary Alice b. 1909 (J/F/M), who died the same year (J/F/M). In 1911 Richard (35), a newsagent on his own account, and Isabella (49) were living on Top Street, with four of Isabella's six children: George a bricklayer, Francis a wagoner on a farm, John a day lad for a market gardener and Isabel (13) who was at school. Martha and Annie were both waitresses living and working at the Yarborough Hotel, Bethleham Street, Grimsby. Martha died the following year (1912 O/N/D Retford). Isabella died in 1924 and her husband Richard Rose-Smithson in 1951. George Cecil married Lucy Booth in Retford on 17th November 1913 and they lived at 11 Low Street East Markham. They had three children, all born in the village: John Stafford born 18th March 1914, George Cecil born 24th October 1915 and Anne born 2nd December 1916. His brother John William served in the war and was killed in 1916. (See record on this Roll of Honour). Of their surviving siblings: Francis Edwin married Kate Everton (b. 1 August 1895) in 1917. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Francis, a railway fitter's labourer, and Kate were living on Church Street, East Markham, with their son Francis (b.7 September 1919) a railway oiler and greaser, and Margaret Burton (or Cook) (b. 21 March 1927). Francis died in 1951. Annie Elizabeth married John B Smith (b. 20 February 1886) in 1914. In 1939 Annie and John, an engineering fitter, were living on Farm Lane, East Markham, with their son Leslie (b. 17 May 1915) an iron and brass turner. Also in the household was Annie's widowed stepfather, Richard Smithson, a market gardener's labourer. He died in 1951. Annie died in 1973. Isabel May married Alfred C Spashett (b. 1 May 1892) in 1924 (O/N/D Grimsby). In 1939 they were living on Annesley Street, Grimsby, with their children William A (b. 16 April 1925) 'seeking work', and Sylvia (b. 20 November 1928). Isabel died in 1978.

Military History

422nd Field Company Royal Engineers George attested for service on 27th November 1915 at Newark giving he gave his age as 27 and his occupation as bricklayer. On 28th November he was posted to the Army Reserve. On 25th May 1916 he was mobilised and began his training. On 31st December 1916 he was admitted to hospital at Fort Pitt, Chatham, suffering from tonsillitis. He was discharged from hospital 10 days later on 10th January 1917. On 20th March 1917 he joined the British Expeditionary Force in France where he served with 422 Field Company. George was killed in action on 20th September the same year and is buried in New Irish Farm Cemetery, Belgium (grave reference VII B 12). George and two other men from East Markham were commemorated at a Memorial Service in the parish church in September 1917.

Extra Information

His brother John William Hempsall, Sherwood Foresters, was killed in action on 4th April 1916. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Retford Times 9th September 1917 'Private G C Hempsall' 'Memorial Service. On Sunday afternoon at East Markham Church, the Vicar held a memorial service in honour of three Markham lads who have fallen in France - Pte Thomas Manuel West Riding Regiment, Sapper G C Hempsall. R.E and Pte S Coppen, Notts and Derbys. The name of Major Norton Harper, a close friend of the Vicar, was included in the service, which was attended by a large number of relatives, friends and parishioners. The hymns "Brief life is here our portion" "Now the labourer's task is o'er" and "Nearer my God to Thee" were sung , and the Vicar in his address spoke of the noble and fearless way the boys had responded to the nations call from this parish. Those whom they honoured that day had been added to the list of fallen heroes, having made the supreme sacrifice for their country's sake. At the close of the service the "Dead March" in "Saul" was played by the organist.'

Photographs