Driver T4/062032 George William Worsey

Died Home on Friday, 11th June 1915, age 21.
Buried in Grave A. "C." 359. at Tipton Cemetery, Staffordshire, United Kingdom.

Army Service Corps, 1st Reserve H.T. Depot (Park Royal).

Son of Bernard and Hannah Worsey, of 23, Aston St., Toll End, Tipton.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Tipton, Resident: Tipton.

Never served abroad.
Medal entitlement: No medal entitlement.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library, and St. Mark's memorials.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/395363/

Genealogical Data

Birth of George William Worsey registered September quarter 1895 in Dudley.

1901 Census
4 back of 9 Rosebery Street, Birmingham.
Bernard Worsey (38, Boatman, born Darlaston), his wife Hannah (36, born Tipton), and their 6 children; Arthur F. (11, born Tipton), Florence G. (10, born Tipton), George W. (6, born Tipton), Herbert J. (4, born Birmingham), Ernest E. (2, born Birmingham), and Hannah L. (3 months, born Birmingham).

1911 Census
23 Aston Street, Tipton, Staffs.
Bernard Worsey (46, Canal Boatman, born Darlaston), his wife Hannah (45, born Dudley Port), and their 8 children; Fred (21, Canal Boatman, born Toll End), Gerty Randall (20, married, born Toll End), George (15, Boatman, born Dudley Port), Herbert (15, Unemployed Boatman, born Birmingham), Ernest (12, School, born Birmingham), Daisy (8, School, born Birmingham), Jim (6, School, born Birmingham), Rose (3, School, born Birmingham). Also son in law John Randall (24, Iron Worker, born Toll End), and his and Gerty's daughter Elsie (11 months, born Toll End).

Personal Data

George's younger brother, Ernest Edward, enlisted with the South Staffs in March 1915, he stated that he was 19 years old but in fact he was only just 16 years old. Seven months later, in October 1915, Ernest was discharged as the army became aware that he was under age.

After George's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £3/1/6d (3 pounds, 1 shilling and 6 pence); this was paid to his father, Mr Bernard Worsey, in October 1915. No War Gratuity was paid as stated on his record "not admissable, under six months service".

George's mother, Mrs Hannah Worsey, was awarded a Dependant's Pension of 5/0d (5 shillings) per week effective from 28th November 1916. Her address at this time was 23 Aston Street, Toll End, Tipton.

Action resulting in his death

George signed up with the Army Service Corps in early 1915. His Army number prefix (T4) shows that he was in Horse Transport and was of the the fourth hundred thousand to volunteer - KItchener's 4th Army - K4. George was posted to No. 1 Reserve Horse Transport (HT) Depot at Park Royal, Willesdon. The roles of the HT Depot was to turn out complete horse transport units ready for service anywhere, with officers, NCOs and men, animals, vehicles (wagons) and stores. Undoubtedly, George's time working on the canals made this a sensible post for him.

George never finished his training or served abroad as he became ill, and died in Neasdon hospital of cerebro-spinal meningitis. George's body was returned to Tipton and he was buried in Tipton Cemetery.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald 28th August 1915
MEMORIAL SERVICE AT OCKER HILL.
MEMORY OF SIX MORE HEROES KEPT GREEN.
At St. Mark's, Ocker Hill, Tipton, on Saturday last, a memorial service was held in respect of the deaths in battle of six more Ocker Hill residents. There was a huge attendance of parishoners. The vicar, Rev. H.C.A. Colville gave the address; the Rev. J.E. Reilly, in the uniform of the R.A.M.C., read the lesson from the Burial Service, and the Rev. John Hunt took the prayers. Suitable hymns were sung and the relatives of the deceased were present.
The Rev. H.C.A. Colville pointed out that when we at home paid a part of the price of victory, it was only a very small fraction of the price that would have to be paid all over the world in whatever corner this great was was being waged. They had held the service to show their sympathy with the realtives and friends of the six soldiers whose memories they honoured. They had to realise that they were not on their own, that they were bought with a price, and that the price was being paid by those men who had died for us in the trenches, on the battlefields, and on the seas.
The names of the six men were inscribed inside a wreath that was hung near the pulpit and they were as follows:-
Thomas Henry Tyso(25), of the 1st South Staffs. Killed in action October 21st.
John Rowley (23), of the 46th Canadian Highlanders. Killed in action April 18th.
Lance-Corporal Frank Lamsdale (25), of the 2nd Worcesters. Killed in action May 14th.
George William Worsey (20), of the A.S.C. Died of fever in Willesden hospital, June 18th 1915.
Richard Clarke(21), of the South Staffs. Died June 1st of wounds received at Richebourg.
Charles Bates (27), of the A.S.C. Died of fever in Ormskirk hospital, July 10th 1915.
Others whose memories had already been similarly honoured at St. Mark's are:-
Samuel Naylor (Royal Marines) of H.M.S. Formidable, who was lost at sea in the English Channel on January 1st 1915.
Philip Francis Price (34), H.M.S. Good Hope. Killed in action in the South Pacific, November 1st 1914.
James Edward Sclater (25) South Staffs. Died of wounds received at Ypres, November 7th.
John Henry Clark (28) of the Coldstream Guards. Died of wounds at the Battle of the Marne.