Private James Cleeton Gough

died 2 June 1916 in France, aged 29

Private Richard Edward Gough

died 15 April 1920 in Church Stretton, aged 20

James and Richard were half brothers with James being the elder by 14 years. Their father was James Gough a labourer who lived at various addresses in All Stretton including at the Steps Cottage on Shrewsbury Road. James’ mother was Amelia Smith from Longnor who died in 1888 when James was only 2. James had 2 elder sisters, Hannah and Fanny. His middle name Cleeton was his grandmother’s maiden name.

James Gough senior remarried Selina Bright from Rushbury in 1899. Richard Edward was the eldest child of 4 from that marriage born in October 1899.

In the 1901 census James Cleeton Gough appears to be working as a page for Dr John McClintock who ran the Grove Asylum in All Stretton and was living with the McClintocks at Rowley in All Stretton.

By the time of the 1911 census he is described as a mechanic in a motor works and is living in Bourton-on-Dunsmore 6 miles from Rugby in Warwickshire. This may explain why James enlisted at Rugby into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. James’ service records have not survived, but we know he joined the 11th Battalion and his service number was 10240. The 11th Battalion went to France in July 1915.

During June 1916 the Battalion was based in trenches at Hannescamps, supporting the build up to the in July.

According to the war diary of 11th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment the trenches were generally quiet, though shelling from howitzers was occasional. It may be that James was killed in one of these attacks

James is buried at Bienvillers Military Cemetery near , but he is also commemorated on the Gough family gravestone in Cunnery Road, Church Stretton . shown here. The register of effects compiled after James’ death shows that he left £5 15s which was passed to his father James

On the 1901 census Richard Edward Gough was aged 1 year old and was living with his parents James and Selina in All Stretton. On the 1911 census the family were living in Lower Wood, All Stretton and Richard was at school.

Although Richard’s service records have also not survived, we know that he enlisted with the 10th Battalion of the East Regiment, known as the Hull’s pals, or the Hull’s Commercial Battalion, in August 1917. At this time, he was aged just 18. His service number was 41131. Was he affected by the death of his half-brother the previous year? We don’t know the answer to that.

The 10th Battalion of the served on the Western Front from 1916 as part of the 92nd Brigade. The brigade served in France until the end of the war. It suffered heavy casualties especially in early 1918.

Richard was discharged from the regiment on 10 July 1919 as a result of wounds. Sadly, he died as a result of these wounds in Church Stretton on 15 April 1920, and was buried on 19 April 1920.

Richard is also commemorated on the Gough family grave described as Edward Gough, as well as on the Commonwealth War Graves gravestone on the same plot, shown here.

Sources: Census and other records courtesy of Ancestry.com

Pictures – authors own.

War diary of the 11th battalion Warwickshire regiment courtesy of National Archives.