Pte 16659 George Henry Houghton

• Age: 34
• From: Wallasey, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

16659 Private George Henry HOUGHTON, 18^th Battalion, KLR.

George Henry Houghton was born in St John’s, Birkenhead on 24th March 1882 (see birthday remembrance in paper), the son of Joseph Houghton and his wife, Ellen Adelaide Augusta (nee Griffiths), who were married a year later in 1883 at St Mary's Church, Birkenhead. Widower Joseph was a 39 year old master mariner of 42 Beckwith Street, father Samuel, whilst Ellen was aged 22, same address, father George.  

There is no obvious trace of the family on the 1891 Census.

The 1901 Census finds the family resident at 103 North Brook Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool. The 19 year old George who is a wine merchant's clerk living with his aunt and uncle. His uncle is Alfred Marsh a 35 year old painter of engines etc born in Grantham, whilst his aunt Ada A. is 26 years of age and was born in Liverpool. Also present is Isabella Reid who is aged 60, a widow and described as his aunt's mother.  

His parents were living at 51 Woodcroft Street, Toxteth. His father, Joseph, is aged 58, a mariner born in Barnton, near Northwich, Cheshire, his mother Ellen is aged 40 born in Liverpool. There are seven children in the household; Herbert is aged 17 born in Seacombe, Emily is 15 born in Bootle, Joseph is 11 born in Liverpool, Lillian A. is 9 born in Birkenhead, and born Liverpool, John S. 5, Patrick A. 3, and Robert B. 10mths.  

George is still resident with his aunt and uncle in 1911. The family are now living at 9 Pentland Avenue, Liverpool. His uncle is now working as a house painter for Liverpool Corporation. The family has now grown with five children listed as; Alfred Cyril aged 8, Doris Eunice 6, Herbert Reginald 5, Leslie 3 and George Leonard 1. His aunt and uncle have been married for 11 years and all five of their children have survived.  

His parents were living at 24 Andrew St, Walton. His father, Joseph, is aged 68, and a mariner, his mother Ellen is aged 47 and they have been married for 23 years, declaring just 6 children. All six childrena re in the household; Emma aged 22 is a waitress, Lilly aged 19 is a laundry ironer, John 14 at school, Frederick 12 at school, Robert 10 at school and Elsie 8, also at school. 

His father died, aged 70, in 1913. 

George enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 01st September 1914 joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16659. He gave his age as 32 years 150 days, occupation clerk and next of kin is his mother, Ellen, 24 Andrew Street, Walton. He also stated that he had served with the 2^nd Volunteer Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. He was described as being 5' 9 tall, weighed 130lbs, 36” chest  with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th 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. 

George crossed to France with his Battalion on the 07th November 1915 on board the SS Invicta, thereby earning his three medals.

George was killed in action during the attack at Montauban on 1^st July 1916, aged 34.

18^th Battalion Diary

At 6.30am the artillery commenced an intensive bombardment of the enemy’s trenches. Zero Hour – 7.30 am – the battalion commenced to leave their trenches and the attack commenced. The attack was pressed with great spirit and determination in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun enfilade fire which caused casualties amounting to 2/3rds of the strength of the Battalion in action. The whole system of German trenches including the Glatz Redoubt was captured without any deviation from the scheduled programme. Consolidated positions and made strong points for defence against possible counter attacks.

Graham Maddocks provides more detail concerning the events of the day:

As the first three waves began to move forward towards the German reserve line, known as Alt Trench and then on to the Glatz Redoubt itself, they suddenly came under enfilading fire from the left. This was from a machine gun which the Germans had sited at a strong point in Alt Trench. The gun itself was protected by a party of snipers and bombers, who, hidden in a rough hedge, were dug into a position in Alt Trench, at its junction with a communication trench known as Alt Alley. These bombers and snipers were themselves protected by rifle fire from another communication trench, Train Alley which snaked back up the high ground and into Montauban itself. The machine gun fire was devastating and it is certain that nearly of the Battalion’s casualties that day were caused by that one gun.  

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Henry Trotter  wrote in the conclusion of his account of the days action:

I cannot speak to highly of the gallantry of the Officers and men. The men amply repaid the care and kindness of their Company Officers, who have always tried to lead and not to drive. As laid down in my first lecture to the Battalion when formed, in the words of Prince Kraft:

“Men follow their Officers not from fear, but from love of the Regiment where everything had always and at all times gone well with them”.    

Joe Devereux in his book A Singular Day on the Somme gives the Casualty Breakdown for the 18^th Battalion as Killed in Action 7 Officers and 165 men and of those who died in consequence of the wounds 3 Officers and 19 men a total of 194 out of a total loss for the four Liverpool Pals Battalions of 257. 

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on the 16th July 1916: 

KILLED IN ACTION. 

HOUGHTON - July 1, killed in action, aged 34 years, Private George H. Houghton (Pals), eldest son of Ellen Houghton, 12 North Hill Street. 

His photograph appeared in the Liverpool Evening Express on 05th August 1916 with the following text:

Private George H. Houghton, of Walton, killed in action on July 1st. 

George's body was not recovered from the battlefield or was subsequently lost and his name appears on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

On 26th October 1916 it was ordered that his effects and any medals should be forwarded to his aunt Mrs Ada A, Marsh, 9 Pentland Avenue. His effects consisted of just a letter, an identification disc, a photograph and a postcard.

He was remembered by his family with a Birthday Remembrance in the Liverpool Echo on the 24th March 1917: 

ROLL OF HONOUR. 

HOUGHTON - In loving birthday remembrance of George H. Houghton, who was killed in action, July 1, 1916 (He gave his life for his friends.) - Sadly missed by Alfred, Ada and kiddies. 9 Pentland Avenue, Walton. 

He was remembered by his family in the Liverpool Daily Post on the 03rd July 1917: 

HOUGHTON - In loving memory of my dear son, Private George H. Houghton (Pals), killed in action, July 1, 1916. - Never forgotten by Mother, Brothers and Sisters. 

George is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall, Panel 55 Right

Roll of Honour at St Luke the Evangelist Church, Goodison Road, Walton.  

His mother is widowed in 1921 at 12 North Hill Street.

In June 1921, the Army attempted to contact George’s mother to arrange disposal of his memorial plaque and scroll, having to enlist the assistance of Liverpool City Police who reported that she was now living at 12 North Hill Street. Presumably Ellen received the plaque and scroll though there is no evidence of this on his file. Ada Ann Marsh, however, received and signed for George's three medals.

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