George William Machin

Private George William Machin, 7/8th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, died of wounds on 2nd August 1918. He is buried in Hucknall cemetery.

Article published on 15th August 1918 in the Hucknall Dispatch :- “A sad case is furnished by the death of Pte. George William Machin, son of Mrs. Machin of Woodstock street, Hucknall, who in her widowhood has striven hard to bring up her children to be a credit to the community. Thus sympathy is extended to her in her loss. “The military history of Pte. George William Machin has been one full of anguish for his mother, who, at the Tribunal recently, pleaded for the retention of her only son left at home. George William was called to the colours in March 1916, and, being placed in the K.O.S.B. regiment [King’s Own Scottish Borderers], he was sent to King Horn, Scotland, for training, which did not last a long time, inasmuch that in August, 1916, he was with the fighting forces in France. In a month’s time he was wounded, which kept him out of the warfare for three months. In April 1917 he was once more a target for Fritz, who placed him out of action for the second time. On this occasion, it took him five months to recover, but, after about two months more in the conflict, he was wounded for the third time, this being in November 1917. Once more he returned to France in February of this year [1918], and for [the] fourth time he was wounded, this being at Soissons. He was brought to a war hospital at Chichester, and passed away on August 1 [sic], this bringing Mrs. Machin’s cup of sorrow to overflowing. Naturally, much sympathy has been extended to her, and also to the soldier’s fiancée. Mrs. Machin has another son, Jedidiah, in the Army. He has been wounded and is now a cadet for a commission. “The funeral took place on Wednesday in last week [7th August 1918], when Rev. J. Franklin conducted a most impressive service in the cemetery chapel, and also pronounced committal sentences at the graveside. Many friends assembled to show their respect for the battle-scarred, though young, soldier, who was 23 years of age, as well as sympathy for Mrs. Machin, the family being connected with the Congregational body. The graveside scenes were of a military character, concluding with the Last Post. Thus his warfare ended. “The wreaths placed upon the grave were as follows:- “With best love – Brother Joe and sister Ada. “With deepest sympathy – His old pal, Nat Hayes, and family. “Love’s last gift to our dear brother – Sister Lizzie, brother Will, and baby Muriel. “With best love – Sister Julia & brother Meg. “Best thoughts – Brother Jed. “With sincere sympathy – Mr. W. Harley (in Salonica) and Mrs. Harley. “A token of affection and loving remembrance – Scholars and teachers of the Congregational Sunday School. “Sweetest remembrance – Uncle Ted and aunt Mary and cousins. “With deepest sympathy – Mrs. Cain and Dora. “With deepest sympathy – neighbours and friends. “With best love to uncle George - Nephews and nieces – Teddy and Sonny, Cis and Olive. “With deepest sympathy – Brother and sister Ted and Mabel. “With deepest sympathy – Nephews and nieces – Dora, Charlie and Fred. “Fond remembrance – Brother Harry. “With deepest sympathy – Aunt Sally, uncle Ben and family. “With best love – Brother Charlie and sister Esther. “Could I have raised your dying head, and heard your last farewell, the grief would not have been so hard to one who loved you well – Your broken hearted Violet. “With fondest love – Sister Sarah. “With very best love – Mother. “Mrs. Machin has received a letter from Pte. F. Roberts, also of the K.O.S.B., who is in hospital in Cardiff. He and the deceased were pals, and Machin being hit first he bandaged him up, after which he had to leave him. Later in the day Roberts was hit in the temple bone, and saw Machin in the same hospital. He was unaware that his pal had been brought to England, and it must have been a disappointment to him to hear his comrade had breathed his last. Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918