Cyril George Townroe

Cyril George was the son of Samuel and Rebecca Townroe (née Tomlinson). His father Samuel Townroe was born in Mansfield Woodhouse in about 1863 and his mother Rebecca Tomlinson was born in Skegby. They were married in Skegby on 5 July 1883 (J/A/S Mansfield) and had six children who were all born in Mansfield: William Henry b. 10 June 1884 (J/A/S Mansfield) bap. Skegby 20 July 1884, Ernest b. 19 August 1885 (J/A/S Mansfield bap. Skegby 11 October 1885, Cyril George b. 16 December1887 (1888 J/F/M Mansfield) bap. St John the Evangelist Mansfield 29 January 1888, Mary Rebecca b. 1892 (O/N/D Mansfield), Olive birth registered 1896 (J/F/M Mansfield) and Samuel Douglas b. 17 April 1903 (A/M/J Mansfield). In 1891 Samuel (29), a traveller in the ginger beer trade, and Rebecca (30) were living on Wood Street, Mansfield, with their three sons, William (6), Ernest (5) and Cyril (3). By 1901 they had moved to 4 Alma Terrace, Mansfield. Samuel was now a mineral water salesman. He and Rebecca had five children: Harry (16) and Ernest (15) who were both iron moulders, Cyril (13) an office post boy, May (8), and Olive (5). The family was still at the same address in 1911. Only Cyril (23), now a house painter, Mary (18) and Olive (15) who were both shop assistants, and Samuel (7) were still living with their parents. Samuel and Rebecca were living at 40a West Gate, Mansfield, when Cyril attested in August 1914. Samuel died on 24 July 1927 aged 64 and Rebecca on 21 August 1930 aged 69. Cyril married Selina Robinson Jerram (also Jerrom) in 1914 (O/N/D Mansfield). Selina was born in Carrington, Nottingham, in 1888 (A/M/J Basford), the daughter of William and Sarah Elizabeth Jerrom. Although she was brought up in Nottingham the family had moved to Mansfield by 1901 and in 1911 were living at 27 Stockwell Gate. Selina's father was a fish and chip saleman and she was assisting in the business. When Cyril attested in August 1914 he was living at 40a West Gate, Mansfield, with his parents. However, from documents in his service record it is likely that he and Selina lived at 91 Union Street, Mansfield. He and Selina had a son, Clifford Robinson, who was born on 2 January 1917 (J/F/M Mansfield). Selina probably married Ambrose H Boles in 1922 (A/M/J Nottingham) but in 1939 she was recorded on the England & Wales Register as Selina R Charlesworth, living at Ratcliffe Gate Garage, Mansfield, with John Charlesworth, a motor engineer on his own account, and her son Clifford, a petrol pump attendant. There is a record of the marriage of a Selina Boles to John Charlesworth in 1942 (J/A/S Mansfield). John Charlesworth probably died in in 1949 (J/F/M Mansfield). Selina was living at 45 Leeming Lane South, Mansfield Woodhouse, at the time of her death on 7 February 1962. Clifford married Joan M Smith in 1957 (A/M/J Mansfield); he died in 1978 (J/F/M Mansfield). Of Cyril's siblings: William Henry has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census. In 1939 he was living with his brother Samuel at 10 Pheasant Hill, Mansfield, in 1939; his occupation was given as colliery hewer (incapacitated). He may have died in 1964 (J/F/M East Retford). Ernest has not been positively identified on records after 1901. Mary Rebecca married Randolph Booth in 1919 (A/M/J Mansfield). She was living at 148 Sutton Road, Mansfield, at the time of her death on 23 June 1962. Her husband survived her. Olive may have been a patient at the Nottinghamshire County Mental Hospital (Saxondale) in 1939. She died in 1968 (A/M/J Bingham). Samuel Douglas married Winifred M Morris in 1932 (J/F/M Mansfield). In 1939 Samuel, who was working in the hosiery industry, Winifred (b. 29 May 1909) and their daughter Winifred (b. 4 November 1934) were living at 10 Pheasant Hill, Mansfield. Also in the household was his brother William who was incapacitated. Samuel died in 1976 (J/F/M Mansfield).

In 1901 he was an office boy but by 1911 was a painter working for John Hutchinson.

40a Westgate, Mansfield.

Cyril attested on 31 August 1914 at the age of 26 years 9 months. He was already in the Territorial Force and had been registered as a Class II National Reservist on 11 August 1914. He served initially in the 8th Bn Sherwood Foresters (2135 Private) but transferred to the Machine Gun Corps in February 1917. He was promoted corporal on 25 April 1917 and acting sergeant on 1 August; he was confirmed in the rank on 11 November 1917. Cyril served at home from 31 August 1914 to 1 March 1915, then was in France from 2 March 1915 to 16 August 1915. He suffered a gunshot wound to his right shoulder on 7 August 1915 and this probably accounts for the start of a period of home service from 17 August 1915 to 24 April 1917. Having already transferred into the Machine Gun Corps he embarked at Folkestone on 25 April 1917 and disembarked at Boulogne the same day. He then served in France until his death on 27 March 1918. Cyril was posted missing presumed killed on 27 March 1918. However, the date was not determined until 22 February 1919 when the Army confirmed that 'the unofficial report of the death of Sgt Townroe has been accepted as sufficient evidence for official purposes and that the date of death has been assumed to be 27 March 1918 and the next of kin should be informed accordingly.' He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial. Cyril qualified for the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. The award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal was published in the London Gazette on 3 June 1918. DCM Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This non-commissioned office is always reliable and trustworthy. His coolness and courage being great encouragement to the men under shell fire.

Cyril was born on 16 December 1887 according to the baptismal record. The CWGC record gives Cyril's age as 30 but the dedication on the family headstone records his age as 32. Inscription on the family headstone, Mansfield (Nottingham Road) Cemetery:- " In loving memory of Samuel Townroe beloved husband of Rebecca Townroe died July 24th 1927 aged 64 years ' peace perfect peace' also Sgt Cyril Townroe D.C.M. beloved son of the above killed in action in France March 27th 1918 aged 32 (sic) years, 'his duty nobly done' also the above names Rebecca Townroe died Aug 21st 1930 aged 69 years 'reunited' Mansfield Reporter, 7 June 1918: 'Birthday Honours. Local Recipients of DCM. 83748 Sgt CG Townroe, MGC (Mansfield).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 1 November 1918: ‘Gallant Sherwoods. Deeds that have won the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Sergt. CG Townroe (MG Battalion), Mansfield. This non-commissioned officer is always reliable and trustworthy, his coolness and courage being a great encouragement to the men when under shell fire’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) His widow Selina was awarded a pension of 22/11d per week for herself and her child with effect from 11 November 1918.