Soldier – Pownall G. – Killed Digging Dugout

June 1917

Mexborough & Swinton times, June 1917

Sapper G.Pownall

Mr and Mrs Pownall, of 53 Tickhill Street, Denaby Main have received the following letter from France relating their son’s death.

“I am writing to tell you the sad news that your son, Sapper George Pownall, has been killed.

it occurred during the night 27 – 28 of May, when he was one of a party of eight going up on the night shift digging deep dugouts in the shelled area a shell pitched in the middle of the party, killing two and wounding one – the other lads killed was Sapper Hardwick. The party was in charge of Corporal Hill.

He was killed on the spot, and the body has been decently buried in a military cemetery, whose whereabouts I will tell you later on. I am sorry to write such a letter to you, but I always write a line to the next of kin, feeling that it may be of comfort to you to know that your son died in the execution of his duty for his country.

With sympathy

R.T.Wilson (Major)”

From C.W.G.C.:

Rank: Sapper
Service No: 476405
Date of Death: 26/05/1917
Age: 24
Regiment/Service: Royal Engineers 455th Field Coy.

Grave Reference: I. D. 21.
Cemetery: WINDMILL BRITISH CEMETERY, MONCHY-LE-PREUX
Additional Information:
Son of George and Mary Hannah Pownall, of 53, Tickhill St., Denaby Main, Yorks, late of Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire.