George Frederick Burrows

George Frederick was the son of William and Annie Burrows (née Bramley). William Burrows was born in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire, in about 1848 and Annie Bramley in Nottingham on 25 May 1855. They were married on 26 December 1872 at Nottingham St Mary (O/N/D Nottingham) and had seven children: Gertrude Annie b. 20 March 1873 (A/M/J Nottingham), Kate Ellen b. 6 June 1874 (A/M/J Nottingham) bap. Nottingham St Ann 2 July 1874, John William b. 19 December 1875 (registered 1876 J/F/M Nottingham), George Frederick b. 28 February 1878 (A/M/J Nottingham), Ethel Mary Penelope b. 21 November 1879 (registered 1880 J/F/M Nottingham) bap. 23 January 1881 Long Eaton St Lawrence, Margaret Elizabeth b. 10 December 1886 (registered 1887 J/F/M Nottingham) bap. 9 February 1887 Nottingham St Andrew and Arthur Cecil b. 23 February 1893 (A/M/J Basford) bap. 9 May 1892 Nottingham St Andrew. All the children were born in Nottingham. William Burrows established a printing and stationery business which was still a family business at the time of his death in 1914. The family was living at 7 Plantaganet Street, Nottingham, when Kate was baptised in 1874 and in Long Eaton in January 1881 when Ethel was baptised. However, by the time of the 1881 Census William (33) and Annie (26) were living at 9 Colville Street, Nottingham, with their five children, Gertrude (7), Kate (6) John (5), George (3) and Ethel (1). William employed two domestic servants, Hannah and Mary Greveson. The family had moved to Zulla Road, Basford, by 1891. William and Mary now had six children: Gertrude (17) of no occupation, Kate (16) a scholar, John (15) a draper's apprentice, George (13) and Ethel (11) who were both scholars and Margaret (4). William employed a mother's help and a general servant. Their youngest child, Arthur, was born two years later in 1893. In 1901 Wiliam and Annie were living at Magdala House, Lucknow Road, Mapperley Park. In the home on the night of the census were five of their seven children: Gertrude and Kate of no occupation, George (23) a stationer's assistant and Margaret and Arthur who were at school. Also in the household was their granddaughter, Muriel (1 b. 7 February 1900), their son John's daughter. William employed a cook and a housemaid. John William, a lithographic printer's manager, had married Kate Pullman at the Chapel Royal, Savoy, London on 4 September 1899 (J/A/S Strand London) and in 1901 they were living at 3 Melbourne Road, West Bridgford, with their son, Frederick William (b. 18 March 1901 West Bridgford, not named at the time of the census). Their daughter, Muriel (1) was with her paternal grandparents on the night of the census. John employed a nurse (domestic) and a domestic servant. Ethel was a boarder at a private school in Warlingham, Godstone, Surrey, in 1901; her occupation was described only as 'worker.' By 1911 only Gertrude, a cookery instructor for the County Council, Kate, a bookkeeper in her father's business, George, who was also assisting in his father's business, Margaret of no occupation, and Arthur (18) a law student were living at home with their parents at 1 Vickers Street, Nottingham. Willliam employed two domestic servants. Ethel Mary had married Francis Henry Smith (b. 26 December 1875) in 1902 (A/M/J Nottingham) and in 1911 they were living at 52 Burlington Road, Sherwood, with their daughter Phyllis Ellen Smith (b. 9 May 1906). Francis was a hosiery manufacturer. John and his wife had moved to Ingoldmells, Skegness, Lincolnshire, by 1911 and were living there with their two children, Muriel (11) and Frederick (10). John (35) had no occupation but had 'private means'. He employed one domestic servant. John and Kate later had a second daughter, Dorothy Hilda (b. 11 January 1915, Skegness). The family home was still at 1 Vickers Street, Nottingham, at the time of William Burrows' death on 13 October 1914. His widow, Annie, was living at 6 Wiverton Road, Nottingham, at the time of George's death in 1918. This was still her home when she died on 1 January 1941. Of George's siblings: Gertrude Annie did not marry. In 1939 at the time the England & Wales Register was compiled she was recorded at the Victoria Hotel, Prince of Wales Terrace, Deal, Kent; she was about 56 years old and was of 'no occupation'. Gertrude died on 28 March 1949; she was then living in London. Her brother Arthur, a solicitor, was one of two executors of her will. Kate Ellen did not marry and continued to live with her mother at 6 Wiverton Road. She was involved in many local organisations including the British Red Cross Society Volunteers, serving as Commandant (Nottingham VAD Notts 32) from 1910 until the year before her death on 2 March 1930. She served in the BRCS throughout the war and was for a time in temporary charge of Arnot Hill VAD Hospital in Arnold, Nottingham. She was awarded the MBE for her work in the 1918 New Year Honours. John Wiliam enlisted in the Army Service Corps (Motor Transport), M2/054680 Private, on 22 March 1915 aged 36. He and his family were still living at Ingoldmells, Skegness. He served in France from 19 September 1915 and was discharged in about 1919. The family moved to Derbyshire and in 1939 John and Kate and their daughter Muriel (d. unm. 1973), of no occupation, were living at 17 Welwyn Avenue, Allestree. John was a refrigeration engineer. Their son Frederick was married (Dorothy), a managing director of a refrigeration specialist company, and also living in Derbyshire. The youngest daughter, Dorothy, had married Archibald Appleyard, a civil servant, in 1938, and was living in Belper. Kate died in 1961 at 17 Welwyn Avenue. John William's date of death has not yet been traced. Ethel Mary Penelope was living in Nottingham in 1939 with her husband, Francis, and daughter Phyllis (d. unm. 1999). Ethel was widowed and living at The Hall, East Leake, Nottinghamshire, at the time of her death on 22 February 1960. Margaret Elizabeth served for a period with the British Red Cross Society Volunteers (VAD Notts 32) at 4th North General Hospital Lincoln and in Middlesex (May/June 1915). She married Reginald J Henderson in 1917 (J/A/S Nottingham) and in 1939 they were living at 6 Baker Street, Nottingham, with their daughter, Joan (b. 25 May 1918) a secretary. Margaret was widowed and living at 6 Norris Homes, Berridge Road, Nottingham, when she died on 2 December 1958; her daughter, Joan Raspin (wife of Sydney Edward Raspin) was her executor. Arthur Cecil was articled to JAH Green of Nottingham and to HW Jelf of 12 Norfolk Street, Strand, WC. He probably enlisted in 1914 and was commissioned second lieutenant in the 98th Lincolnshire Regiment, later attached to the Dorsetshire Regiment and promoted major. He served in Gallipoli from September 1915 and later in France. Arthur was awarded the Military Cross in 1916. He married Dorothy Mellersh (b. Australia) at St Luke Kensington on 8 December 1917. In 1920 when he applied for his medals his address was given as 6 Wiverton Road, Nottingham. However, by 1939 Arthur was living in Haslemere (married, solicitor) but it is possible that his wife, Dorothy, was living in Royal Leamington Spa where she died on 9 March 1969. Arthur was living in Mayfield, East Sussex, when he died on 31 May 1980 (A/M/J Hasting & Rother Sussex).

George attended Nottingham High School from 16 September 1889 to Easter 1894. In 1901 his occupation was given as 'stationer's assistant' (father's business) but in 1911 as 'assisting in father's business'. He was a volunteer fireman before enlisting in 1915.

He served with the Clearing Office Royal Garrison Artillery. George was wounded at Messines on 11 April 1918 and died of his wounds in Nottingham General Hospital on 7 December 1918. He was buried with military honours in Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery (grave ref. Church. 9063).

Family headstone Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery: Also in ever loving memory of George Frederick Burrows, Gunner RGA, son of William Burrows, born February 28th 1878, wounded in action at Messines, April 11th 1918, died December 7th 1918. ‘For God, King and Country’ Nottingham Evening Post, 10 December 1918: ‘Military Funeral. Gunner GW Burrows, who died from wounds received in action, was a son of the late Mr William Burrows JP and Mrs Burrows of Wiverton-road, Nottingham. Deceased was a volunteer fireman before he joined up in 1915 and at his funeral to-day a number of special constables and volunteer fireman and Supt. Breaks paid a last tribute.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His mother, Annie, was his legatee. Nottingham Evening Post, 13 October 1914: ‘Death of Mr WM Burrows. A Nottingham Magistrate. The death took place at his residence, 1, Vickers-street, this morning of Mr William Burrows, a justice of the peace for Nottingham, who was well known in the commercial, political, and social circles of the city. The late Mr Burrows, who was a native of Nottingham, and a mercantile manufacturer, stationer, book binder, printer, and photo lithographer in business, had been in declining health for some little time and the news of his death at the age of 66 will not occasion much surprise to the many friends and acquaintances who held him him high esteem … He was made a justice of the peace in 1905 … He leaves a widow and family, and one of his sons only recently joined the colours [Arthur].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Burrows William of Vickers-street Nottingham printer died 13 October 1914 Probate Nottingham 5 January to Annie Burrows widow and George Frederick Burrows printer. Effects £6858 19s. 6d. George's brother, Arthur Cecil, was awarded the Military Cross in 1916: Nottingham Evening Post, 16 November 1916: ‘Military Cross For A Nottingham Officer. Among the local officers awarded the Military Cross, according to the London Gazette, is Captain Arthur C Burrows, son of the late Mr William Burrows, JP, and whose home is in Vickers-street, Nottingham. Captain Burrows, who prior to the war was articled to Mr JAH Green, solicitor, gained his commission in the Lincolnshire Regiment, and went through the Gallipoli campaign. Afterwards he was sent to France. Captain Burrows is about 23 years of age.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Marriages’, 10 December 1917: ‘Burrows-Mellersh. On Decmber 8th at the church of St Luke, South Kensington, by the vicar of the parish, Major Arthur Cecil Burrows, MC,Lincolnshire Regiment (attached Dorsetshire Regiment) youngest son of the late William Burrows, JP, of nottingham, and Mrs Burrows, to Dorothy, younger daughter of the late Hugh L Mellersh, of Sydney, New South Wales, and Mrs Mellersh, 46A, Redcliffe Square, London, SW. (Sydney papers please copy).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 3 March 1930: ‘Burrows. On 2nd March, 1930, at a nursing home [18 Park Row, Nottingham] following an operation, Kate Ellen Burrows, MBE, second daughter of the late Mr Wm. Burrows JP, and Mrs Burrows, of 5 (sic) Wiverton-road, Nottingham. Funeral Church Cemetery, 12 noon, Wednesday, 5th inst.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 3 March 1930: ‘Well-Known Nottingham War Worker. The death occurred yesterday of Miss Kate E Burrows, of 6, Wiverton-road, Nottingham, who was invested by the King with the Order [Member] of the British Empire in 1917 in recognition of her war work. Miss Burrows, who was a daughter of the late Mr William Burrows, a justice of the peace for the city, raised the 32nd Notts. Voluntary Aid Detachment in 1910, was its first commandant, and held that position until she resigned last year. During the war her detachment rendered valuable help at hospitals and on train service, and for a time she was in command of the Arnot Hill Hospital. Miss Burrows was also well known for her social and political activities in East Nottingham. In conjunction with the Hon. Mrs JA Morrison, she organised the East Nottingham Women’s Imperial League in 1910, and acted as its first honorary secretary. It was the first successful effort to organise Conservative women workers in the constituency and had much to do with increasing Captain Morrison’s majority from 152 to 1,422 within the space of a year, and on the same register. For some years she also held the honorary secretaryship of the Old Girls’ Association of the Nottingham Girls’ High School, and was keenly interested in amateur theatricals. Her practical help and sympathy displayed in many directions, will cause her to be very general missed.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Gertrude Annie Burrows: for report of funeral see Nottingham Evening Post, 5 March 1930. Probate: Burrows Annie of 6 Wiverton-road widow died 1 January 1941 Probate Nottingham 5 February to Arthur Cecil Burrows solicitor Ethel Mary Penelope Smith (wife of Francis Henry Smith) and Margaret Elizabeth Henderson (wife of Reginald St. John Wale Henderson). Effects £3541 8s. 7d.