L/Sgt 16361 George Cuddy

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 29th April 1918
• Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 31-34

George Cuddy was born on 02nd July 1895 in Liverpool, the son of George Christopher Cuddy and his wife Ellen (nee Bird) who were married in 1894. He was baptised on the 07th July 1895 at Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Everton.

The 1901 Census shows that the family are living at 302 Great Howard Street. His father George is head of the household, he is a 29 year old, Fish shopkeeper born in Liverpool, mother Ellen, is a 29 year old also born in Liverpool. George is aged 5 and his brother Alban is 3. Also present are his fathers 22 year old sister Mary and two servants, Lizzie Bailey and Edith Owen.

The 1911 Census finds the family have moved to 28 Haggerston Road, Walton. Head of the household is Ellen who states she is married. George and Alban (shown as Allan) have been joined by younger brothers Francis Leo aged 9 and James aged 3. George is 15 and still at school. Mary Cuddy is shown as a Boarder and there is one servant Annie Jackson.

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 02^nd September 1914, joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16361. He gave his age as 19 years and 30 days and his occupation as a Clerk. He was described as being 5'11 inches tall, weighing 147lbs with a 34 inch chest. He is of fresh complexion with grey eyes and brown hair.

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. 

He was in France from 07/11/15 - 23/10/16 and was promoted to paid Lance Corporal on 02/07/1916. He returned to the UK on 24/10/1916 from Etaples via Newhaven having been wounded in action (GSW Hand) on 18/10/1916. He returned to France on 13/01/1917 via Folkestone onto Boulogne. Upon his arrival he was posted to 17th Bn. He had a period of sickness between 30/01 - 10/02/17, was then promoted to Corporal on 12/07/1917, but was severely reprimanded on on 21/09/17 for neglect resulting in the loss of a Lewis Gun. He joined IX corps Infantry School on 25/09/17 returning on 26/10/1917. He was granted leave to the UK from 15/01 - 29/01/1918. Upon his return he was appointed unpaid Lance Serjeant on 04/02/1918. He was wounded in action on March 22nd 1918, suffering a gunshot wound to the left leg. This required treatment and he returned to his battalion on 14/04/1918. His father wrote to the Army requesting information about his son following his being wounded in March but received no response.

George was killed in action (death presumed) on the 29^th April 1918, aged 23, during the German Spring Offensive. Details of the action were recorded in the battalion diary:

By the 25^th April the battalion had taken up positions of readiness in the Voormezeele sector. According to the battalion War Diary, on the night of the 27^th, at 8.30 p.m. they moved to the line to relieve 4^th Bn, relief completed about 1 a.m.

28^th – At about 1 p.m. a company of composite battalion gave way on the left of our line and the Bosche penetrated from the Canal Bank to the left of my battalion front, which position he maintained despite 5 hours fighting. My reserve company was ordered to counter-attack and restore the position at 7.45 p.m. but enemy laid down a barrage at 7.43 a.m. and the counter attack was unable to proceed. The enemy bombardment lasted until 10.30 p.m. and I then organised a defensive flank.

29^th – At 3.30 a.m. heavy enemy bombardment opened, followed later (9.00 a.m.) by enemy attack and our line was forced back to G.H.Q.1 where I organised and held on to the position. The enemy got through on both flanks practically surrounding 2 of my companies. ‘A’ company was actually surrounded and after severe fighting were captured.

George was originally posted as Missing and the anxiety in his family is demonstrated when his parents posted in the Liverpool Echo on 31^st May1918:

“Missing – Information Wanted. Cuddy – Sergeant George Cuddy, 16361, K.L.R., Lewis Gun Section, on April 29. Any information will be gratefully received by his anxious parents, residing at 28 Haggerston Road, Walton.

Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.

The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.

The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.

Soldiers Effects to father George C., Pension to mother Ellen.

George is commemorated on the following memorials:

St. Alban’s RC Church 

Liverpool Cotton Association

His father died in the December quarter of 1938, aged 66.