George William Ollerenshaw was born in late 1894 in Birmingham, the son of William Ollerenshaw and his wife Annie Elizabeth (née Waterfield). His father, born in Manchester, and his mother in Birmingham, married in March 1890 in Aston, Birmingham, and they had six children. George had an older brother Leigh, born in 1891, and an older sister Florence, in 1893, both born in Birmingham. Some time after George’s birth and before 1901 the family moved to the Liverpool area, where Esther was born in 1902, and twins May and Annie in 1905. Sadly, May died at ten weeks old, and was buried in a public grave (the family then living in Second Avenue, Fazakerley).
At the time of the 1901 census the family are found at 6 Third Avenue, Fazakerley, off Longmoor Lane. ‘William G’. is 6 years old and lives with his parents and two older siblings. Both parents are 34, his father is a stonemason. His siblings are recorded as; Leigh aged 10 and Florence aged 7.
George William attended Longmoor Lane Junior School.
His sister Esther died in January 1911, aged 8 and was buried in a public grave.
In 1911 the family are living at 9 Monville Road, Fazakerley, opposite Kirkdale cemetery. George William, is aged 16 and is a clerk with Hudson’s Soap Works (in Bank Hall and acquired by Lever Bros.) He lives with his parents and three siblings. Both parents are aged 44, his father is a stonecutter. His siblings are listed as; Leigh aged 20, he is a draughtsman, Florence, 17, has no occupation listed and Annie, who was born in Liverpool, is 5.
George William enlisted in Liverpool on 10th November 1914 as Private 23131, joining the 20th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment. He gave his age as 20 years, and his occupation as clerk. He was described as being 5’ 5 and a half inches tall, weighing 112 lbs, with a fresh complexion, brown eyes and dark brown hair. He gives as next of kin his father William, at 142 Longmoor Lane, and his religion as Church of England.
Formed in November 1914 the 20th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.
He shipped to France with his battalion, disembarking at Boulogne on 07th November 1915. His service record survives and shows:
From 03rd June to 10th June 1917 to II Corps Signalling Course.
26th July 1917 appointed unpaid Lance Corporal
09th August 1917 to 5th Army Signal Course.
On 07th February 1918 he was posted to the 19th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment when the 20th was disbanded in France, George William reverted to Private.
08th March 1918 he was again appointed unpaid Lance Corporal.
George was wounded in action on 28th March 1918, and died of his wounds the next day at No.55 Casualty Clearing Station, at Namps-au-Val.
He now rests at Namps-Au-Val British Cemetery, France where his headstone bears the epitaph:
"LIFE FOR EVERMORE"
At the end of March 1918, when the German offensive in Picardy began, the 41st, 50th and 55th Casualty Clearing Stations came to Namps-au-Val, remaining until the middle of April. Almost all the burials in the cemetery were carried out by them, but nine graves in Plot II, Row D, were brought after the Armistice from CONTY FRENCH MILITARY CEMETERY. The cemetery contains 408 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and one from the Second World War. There are also 16 French war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
His death was announced in the
Liverpool Echo on 9th April 1918:
“March 29, died from wounds received in action, at __ Casualty Clearing Station, Lance-Corporal George W. Ollerenshaw, (signaller, K.L.R.), beloved younger son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Ollerenshaw, of 142, Longmoor Lane, Aintree. (Sans changer.)”
Liverpool Echo 30th April 1918
OLLERENSHAW - Mr and Mrs W. OLLERENSHAW and family sincerely thank all friends for their letters and expressions of sympathy in their recent sad bereavement. - 142 Longmoor Lane.
The following extract was taken from Lever Bros Staff Magazine:
Lance-Corporal George W. Ollerenshaw, 23, Liverpool Branch Office and King's Liverpools, died from wounds on March 29th. This young soldier was a lively contributor to the "Call to Arms," the type-written monthly in which communications are kept up between Highfield Street colleagues and their comrades at the front. Splendid tributes to Ollerenshaw's "exceptionally bright and generous disposition" have come flowing in to the "Call to Arms," and the Editor writes: "His many letters to us invariably breathed a spirit of unconquerable optimism. No matter how depressing his immediate circumstances might be, he never lost his cheerfulness and sang froid. He was, in fact, an upright, clean hearted, and lion-hearted lad of the true British breed. We mourn his loss, and our heartfelt sympathy goes to his parents in their grief."
George earned his three medals, which his father signed for.
In December 1918 his personal effects were sent to his father: 1 Broken rosary, 1 Knife, 1 Pair scissors, Metal watch, 1 Identity disc, Letters, Photographs, Cards, 1 Diary, 1 Religious book, 1 Metal ring, 1 9-carat gold ring, Tube of ink pellets, Fountain pen, Wallet, Metal cigarette case, Knife, fork and spoon combined, Wrist watch, strap and protector, Stylo pen, Whistle. On 2nd Dec 1918 his father acknowledged receipt of the articles, with the exception of the metal watch.
A War Gratuity of £15-10s went to his father. His mother Annie was awarded a pension of 7/6d a week from October 1918.
That same month, October 1918, his sister married Richard Lovegrove Lucas. He was their next door neighbour in 1911, at 11 Monville Road, but served as a Corporal in the Canadian MGC. He sadly died four months after their marriage, on 12th February 1919, aged 27, and rests in Etaples Military Cemetery.
In 1919 his parents were still living at 142 Longmoor Lane with brother Leigh, 28, and sisters Florence Lucas, 25, and Annie, 14.
By 1939 his parents, now both 73, and his widowed sister Florence, 46, had moved to Crosby, and were living at 72 Brownmoor Park. His father is listed as a retired stonemason. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1940 and lived long lives.
His father died in 1957 aged 91 and his mother in 1960, at the age of 94.
George is commemorated on the following memorials -
Port Sunlight & Lever Brothers Ltd. Employees
Longmoor Lane Junior School
Emmanuel Parish Church, Fazakerley, Tablet & Screen (as William)
We currently have no further information on George William Ollerenshaw, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
His sister Florence Mary married Richard Lovegrove Lucas of the Canadian MGC (455409) on October 7th 1918 at Emmanuel Church. He sadly died at Etaples 12th Feb 1919.
