Percival Harwood Gorman
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Percival Harwood Gorman was born in 1888 at Bulwell, he was the son of John Thomas Gorman a coal miner hewer and the late Maria Frost Gorman née Harwood of 98 Central Drive, Shirebrook. His father John Thomas was born in 1857 at Nuthall, his mother Maria Frost Harwood was born in 1860 at Bagthorpe she died in 1914 aged 54 yrs, they were married on 13th September 1883 at St Joh’s Church, Bulwell, they had a further child Hettie Louise Harwood born 1899. In the 1911 census the family were living at 98 Central Dive, Shirebrook, John Thomas 52 yrs is a coal miner hewer, he is living with his wife Maria 51 yrs and their daughter Hettie Louise Harwood 12 yrs. In the same 1911 census we find Percival Harwood Gorman has left the family home, he is a boader living at 140 Oakland Road, Sheffield, he is shown as Percival Gorman 23 yrs a grocers assistant, he is living with David Chapman 43 yrs a book keeper and his family. Percival married his wife Alice Elizabeth Wain, born 30th July 1889 on 2nd June 1915 at Winshill, who was awarded a pension of 10 shillings a week commencing 28th February 1916 she later remarried to become Alice Elizabeth Norman and lived at 14 Kensington Road, Winshill.
Private Percival Harwood Gorman enlisted at Shirebrook he served with the 11th battalion Hampshire Regiment, he died of wounds on 16th August 1915 and is buried at Forceville Communal Cemetery Extension France. is battalion as 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment.He is buried in Forceville Communal Cemetery and Extension, Somme, France (grave ref. 1.A.13)
Article published 20th August 1915 in the Birmingham Gazette:“TRAGIC BRIDE. “BURTON LADY MARRIED AND WIDOWED IN SEVEN WEEKS. “Mrs. A. E. Gorman, of Burton-on-Trent, local schoolmistress, yesterday received word from Chaplain A. W. Fletcher that her husband, Private Perctval Harwood Gorman, 1st Hants Regiment, died at midnight on Sunday from wounds received in action, and was buried the next afternoon in the English cemetery.“Private Gorman was the son of Mr. J. T. Gorman, of Shirebrook, enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war in the 18th Hussars, and ultimately transferred. He was married to Miss A. E, Wain, of Burton, who was formerly also well known Shirebrook, on 21 June, and left for the front three weeks ago.” Published in the Nottingham Daily Express 21st August 1915:“TRAGEDY OF WAR WEDDING.“Notts. Soldier Killed Two Months After Leaving his Bride. “News was received at Shirebrook yesterday [20th August 1915] of the death of Private Percival Harwood Gorman, 1st Hants. Regiment, who died shortly after being wounded in action in France. “The case is particularly pathetic inasmuch as he was married as recently as June 21st to Miss Wain, mistress at the Council School, Newhall, and formerly of Shirebrook. His latest postcard to the boys at the Beehive Stores, Station-road, Shirebrook, where he was employed before joining the Colours, received on Thursday morning, [19th August 1915] indicated that he was quite well, but apparently met with his fatal injuries later –– probably the same day that he wrote the postcard.”Published 20th August 1915 in the Derbyshire Courier:“THE TOLL ON SHIREBROOK. “Popular Young Soldier Killed. “News reached Shirebrook last Friday that Private Percival Gorman had found a soldier’s grave. Deceased, who was 25 years of age, enlisted in the 18th Hussars (1st Hants) three weeks after the war broke out and went to Scarborough for training on 1 September. A pathetic feature is that he was married only about two months ago, the wedding taking place at Winsill, Burton-on-Trent. The young widow resides at Winsill, where she is highIy esteemed, and the tragic event has aroused the greatest sympathy both at Winsill and Shirebrook. “Private Harwood Gorman was very popular in Shirebrook where he was for some time employed at the Beehive Stores, and his courtesy and sociability, along with his gentlemanly bearing, had gained him a hos of friends. He was also well-known in Clowne, especially amongst tradespeople. He was the son of Mr. T. Gorman, Division Road, Shirebrook.“The sad intelligence came in a letter from the chaplain of the regiment, who staled that he was sorry to inform Mrs. Gorman that her husband ha been severely wounded on Sunday, 15 August, and had died the same night. He was having a Christian burial, and his grave would be marked by a cross with the arms of his regiment on. In conclusion the chaplain expressed his deepest sympathy with the widow.“Details as to how decease met his death are lacking, but it is believed that he was shot in the body. A sad circumstance is that on the day that he was killed Mr. Tom Brewster. Gate Hotel, Shirebrook, received a letter from Private Harwood German saying he was “in the pink,” and a day later a letter was received by “the boys at the Beehive” from deceased. The fallen soldier had been in France only three weeks. His bosom friend was Mr. Albert Brewster, Main Road, Shirebrook, who only a few days before the sad event received a characteristic message from his friend saying: “There's nothing to complain of here.” All the above article are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Nottingham Evening Post, 2 September 1915, caption to photograph: 'Pte PH Gorman, 1st Hants, late of Buwell, died of wounds Aug 15th. Married June 21 at Wanshill, and joined his regiment for the front the following day. Aged 27.'
