Sgt 21522 George Thomson Hull

• Age: 29
• From: Preston, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• Died Sunday 6th June 1915
• Commemorated at: Leyland (st Andrew) Cem Lancs
  Panel Ref: 5.638

George Thomson Hull was born on the 04^th February 1886 in Preston and was baptised on the 23rd May 1886 at St Saviour's Church, Preston. He was the son of Edward and Frances Hull (nee Johnstone, and Edward’s second wife). Edward, with his first wife, Mary Ann, had a number of children of their own and in total Edward fathered at least 9 or 10 children.

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 28, Latham Street, Preston, Lancashire. His father, Edward, is aged 60, born in Blackpool in 1841 is a coachbuilder, his mother Frances is aged 50, born in Herefordshire in 1851 with no occupation listed. They have four children living with them at the time of the Census; Maria aged 33, born 1868, Frank Hudson Hull aged 21, is a coach painter, George Thomson aged 15, is a clerk in the county offices and Alice Kathleen is aged 12.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 18 Wolseley Road, Preston. His mother Frances is a widow aged 61, with no occupation (Her year of birth is now showing as 1850). She is living with one step child, Frank Hudson Hull aged 31, born 1880 who is employed as a coachbuilder, and her two children George Thomson aged 25, born 1886 a quarter pensions official and clerk with the county council and Alice Kathleen aged 22, born 1889  who is a draper’s shop assistant.

George enlisted in Liverpool on 04^th September 1914 and gave his age as 28 years and 213 days and his occupation as a clerk with Lancashire County Council. He was five feet eight and half inches tall, weighed 124lbs, 34” chest, sallow complexion, blue eye, dark hair and gave his religion as Church of England. On enlistment he gave his next of kin as his father at 19 Wolseley Road.

His service records show:

28th October 1914: Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal.

13th January 1915: Promoted to Corporal.

4th March 1915: Promoted to Sergeant.

On 1^st April 1915 he married Hilda Whitehead at Leyland Parish Church.

On 5^th June 1915, only 2 months after his marriage, George was admitted to the Military Hospital at Belton Park, Grantham, suffering from appendicitis but when operated upon it was found that his appendix had perforated and he died next day at 9.00am.

There are 21 First World War burials in the Cemetery.

His death was reported in the Lancashire Evening Post on 07th June 1915; 

LEYLAND SERGEANT’S DEATH. 

The death took place in the Grantham Camp of the 19th King’s Liverpool (“Pals”) Regiment, on Sunday, following an operation, of Sergeant George Thompson(sic) Hull. He was formally engaged in the office of the Clerk to the County, at the County Offices, Preston. The regiment has been stationed in Grantham about a month. Sergeant Hull, who was only taken ill on Saturday, was married on April 1st at Leyland to Miss Hilda Whitehead, daughter of Mr Samuel Whitehead of Leyland. Along with his brother, he enlisted a week after the Battle of Mons, and was raised to the rank of sergeant shortly before his marriage. The funeral will take place at St Ambrose’s is Church, Leyland, on Wednesday afternoon. 

His death was also reported in the Preston Herald 12 June 1915 (fine details not correct)

LEYLAND SERGEANT'S DEATH

The death is reported from Grantham Camp of Sergeant George Thomas Hull, of the 19th King's Liverpool (Pals) Regiment, who was formerly employed in the office of the Clerk to the County at the County Offices, Preston. Hull, who resided at Leyland joined the Army with his brother shortly after the Battle of Mons, and soon attained the rank of sergeant. He was married on April 1st to Miss Hilda Whitehead, daughter of Mr Samuel Whitehead of Leyland. Hull was only taken ill on Saturday last and succumbed after an operation on Monday last.

[Elder brother Frank Hudson Hull]

His Army career was shortlived but within his first 4 months he had been promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

He now rests in St Andrew’s Churchyard, Leyland, Grave 5.638. A report of his funeral in the Preston Guardian on 06th June 1915 describes how he was buried with full military honours.

His belongings were sent to his widow, Hilda, who was living with members of her own family at Greenbank, Farrington, Leyland and she was eventually awarded a pension of 11/- (55p) per week.  At the time of his death, George’s father had died and his widowed mother was living with her daughter in Kirkham, Lancashire. 

Probate: HULL George Thomson of 17 Wolseley Road, Preston, Lancashire died 6 June 1915 at the field hospital Belton Camp, Londonthorpe, Lincolnshire. Administration London 21 July 1915 to Hilda Hull widow. Effects £212 2s.

George is commemorated on the Whitehead family gravestone which reads:-

SERGEANT G.T. HULL

19TH KING'S LIVERPOOL REGt

WHO DIED AT GRANTHAM

6TH JUNE 1915, AGED 29 YEARS

We currently have no further information on George Thomson Hull, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.