Early Years

George Haughton was born in Bolton, Lancashire in 1894 but grew up in Malvern.  He was the son of Edmund Haughton a foreman gas-fitter for Malvern Urban District Council and his wife Elizabeth. George had a younger sister Margaret, born in 1896, also in Bolton. 

George was christened in his mother’s home parish of Christchurch, Willaston-in-Wirral, Cheshire on 7th October 1894.  On the 1901 Census, the family were living at 193 Hatfield Road, Bolton. 

A post-war view of Christchurch, Willaston on the Wirral where George Haughton was christened.

By 1911, the family had moved Venice, Somers Park Avenue, Malvern Link.

A Territorial Gunner

George served his apprenticeship as a gas fitter with the Council’s Gas Department and joined the 2nd South Midland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force) at Malvern on 14th June 1911.  He was 17 years and 9 months when he joined and was passed fit for duty by Dr George Mackie, a Malvern doctor and Territorial Medical Officer. 

He served with ‘B’ (Worcester) Battery of the Brigade.  Two of these guns and their crews paraded at Malvern.  

In June 1913, Elizabeth Haughton died and was buried at St Matthias’ Churchyard, Malvern Link on 24th June.  She was 42 years old.

Men of the 2nd South Midland Brigade, Royal Field Artillery in Essex in November 1914.

First World War

George was mobilised at the beginning of the war.  His battery began training and manning coastal defences on the Isle of Wight, at Granite Fort in Sandown and later in Essex. He signed the Imperial Service Obligation on 12th September 1914, agreeing to serve overseas if called upon.

The Imperial Service Badge worn by officers and men of the Territorial Force who signed the Imperial Service Obligation, volunteering to serve overseas if called to do so.

This call would come soon enough.  Along with the rest of the 2nd South Midland Brigade, Gnr Haughton landed at Boulogne on 31st March 1915.  Briefly attached to the 25th Anti-Aircraft Section, George was made Acting Bombardier on 17 November 1915. He was admitted to hospital on 29th December 1915 with a septic hand. Following successful treatment he returned to his unit ten days later.

Having signed up for four years’ service on initial enlistment, George was required to re-engage on 23 March 1916, but perhaps having felt he had done his bit, he initially refused. However for whatever reason, he changed his mind (or had had his mind changed) and re-engaged on 13 May 1916.  This  entitled him to a fortnight re-engagement leave back in the United Kingdom, this he took during November 1916.

Battle of Passchendaele

Bdr Haughton was killed during a bombardment of his battery positions during the Battle of Passchendaele in August 1917.  His unit was supporting the infantry of their Division, the 48th Division, which were attacking German positions near St Jan, a few miles outside Ypres. Unfortunately the War Diary for the month of August 1917 is missing from the archives, however the Brigade History gives a good idea of the movements of the unit during this period.

“By August 15th, preparations for the next attack were completed.  At 04.45 hours on the morning of the 16th, a fresh assault was launched across the STEENBEEK, against the imposing defences of the LANGEMARCK SYSTEM.  Little success attended this venture,  The advance made was insignificant…

A soldier look across devastated country near Ypres showing a derelict Mark IV Tank, shell-splintered trees and general battle detritus, 15 February 1918. Copyright: © IWM. Q 10711

“The number of guns per 100 yards was even greater than on the first attack, but the success gained was inconsiderable.  Attempts were made y three parties [of 241 Brigade] to get a telephone line through to the front line, and ultimately Lieut Nichols MC went out with a party, and under heavy fire succeeded in getting the line through.”

Read more about the actions on the Steenbeek, near Langemarck at the opening of the Passchendaele Offensive here.

News reaches Malvern

On the 8th September 1917, the Malvern News reported: 

“Bombardier George Haughton (son of Mr Edmund Haughton of Venice, Somers Park Avenue) has been killed in action. He joined the Territorial Artillery about two years before the outbreak of war, and at the time was employed as a fitter in the Malvern District Council’s Gas Department.”

Commemoration

Bdr George Haughton was buried in Plot 7 of Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery.  This cemetery was just outside the normal range of German shell fire and the village was used both by artillery units and field ambulances. Burials were made in the original Military Cemetery until June 1917, when the New Military Cemetery was begun in anticipation of the Allied offensive launched on this part of the front in July. 

The original grave marker of George Haughton at Vlamertinge New Military Cemetery.

George’s family family requested the inscription “HE DIED THE ENGLAND MIGHT LIVE” on his headstone.  

George Haughton’s headstone in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery

Today is commemorated in Malvern, both at St Matthias, Malvern Link but also commemorated at the Church of the Ascension, Newtown.

Mrs B Evans and Mr M Evans 2002
Mr D Corbett 1998
Malvern News 8/9/1917
British Army World War I Service Records, 1914-1920
1901 Census
1911 Census