George Pownall was the third of his name and was born in Chapel-en-le-Frith in early 1893 to George Pownall, who also hailed from Chapel-en-le-Frith and Mary Hannah Johnson who came from Worcestershire. George Snr was listed in the 1891 Census as a Cotton Dyer, and in 1901 as a Plate layer. He and Mary had one other child; a daughter Fanny Elizabeth who was two years older than her brother and likely named for her Grandmother Frances, who is also found referred to as Fanny in the 1861 census, and her Aunt Elizabeth.
In 1901 the family are living in Chapel-en-le-Frith in Derbyshire. Ten years later, in 1911 George is 18, and is still living with his parents in Chapel-en-le-Frith, at ‘Stocks Hall’. George Snr is working as a Gas Engine Driver at the Iron Foundry, and George himself is working as a Machine Fitter.
George’s service papers cannot be found, but at he joined the Army as a Sapper in the 455th Field Company of the Royal Engineers. He was deployed to the front and was sadly killed on 26th May 1917 at the age of 24, whilst digging dugouts at night.
The Conisbrough and Denaby 100 Project
George Pownall
Following his death, one Major Wilson wrote to his parents at their home at 53 Tickhill Street, Denaby Main. He wrote:
“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 lad killed was Sapper Hardwick. The party was in charge of Cpl Hill.
He was killed on the spot, and the bidy has ben 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.”
The 455th Field Company was originally the 1st (West Riding) Field Company of the Territorial Force, and was renamed when it joined the 29th Division in March 1915.
George is buried at Windmill Cemetery, Monchy-le-Preux in France.
We visited George's grave at Easter, 2015 and laid his tribute.