George Cuthbertson's Story.
George Cuthbertson Burnell was born in Egremont, Cheshire on the 6th April 1890, to parents Robert and Mary. Sadly, Robert died in October 1889, some six months before George was born, so he never knew his father.George was educated at Liscard High School. He had a keen interest in Rugby playing for both New Brighton and Birkenhead Park Rugby Clubs. He enlisted as a private in the Liverpool Scottish at the start of the First World War, training at Edinburgh and Tunbridge Wells before going out to the Western Front on 31st October 1914. He was given a commission in the Liverpool Scottish on 16th March 1915.
Second Lieutenant George Cuthbertson Burnell died on 24th June 1915 of wounds received during the charge of the Liverpool Scottish at Hooge, Belgium a week earlier.
George in his Birkenhead Park Rugby Club kit during the 1913/14 season.
Birkenhead News 30 June 1915
Died of Wounds
THRILLING EXPERIENCE ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
Late Sec. Lieut. G C. Burnell.
The death of 2nd Lieutenant G. C. Burnell from wounds received during the charge of the Liverpool Scottish was announced from one of the military hospitals at Boulogne on Thursday. In the “News” last Wednesday, he was reported to be seriously wounded, but according to one of his brothers who visited him at the hospital, the deceased seemed to be recovering rapidly, and there was every hope of him surviving. In fact almost up to the last he was able to chat with his brother and relate some of his experiences. The wound in his leg, however, was rather extensive, and despite every attention blood poisoning set in, and he died. To his brother he gave a graphic description during a conversation in the hospital at Boulogne. He remembered little of the charge except -
HEARING THE GERMANS -
yell and run away at top speed upon the approach of the British. He fell after being hit either by a machine gun bullet or an explosive bullet, and after crawling into a hole made by one of the German shells, he lay there for two days and a half awaiting assistance. During that time he tried several times to get out of the “crater” but was too weak, until he managed to divest himself of his kit. He then succeeded in getting into a trench which was vacant, and while lying down in a semi-conscious condition four Germans came along the dugout apparently trying to get back to their lines. At first the deceased thought they were –
GOING TO SHOOT HIM -
to prevent him signalling to the British as to their whereabouts, but when they saw his helpless condition they passed out of sight through the labyrinth of trenches. The deceased took the opposite direction, but only a little way when he became unconscious. When next he awoke he found himself in the hospital. According to what he said, he had not been in much pain, for while lying on the ground he dozed off to sleep now and again, and was aware of little that had happened.
He expressed regret that he should have been given charge of a company of new men at the last moment. He said he could not understand why this had been done, and felt keenly disappointed at not being able to fight alongside of his pals.
2nd Lieutenant G. C. Burnell was particularly well known among followers of Rugby Football. He belonged to an old and respected New Brighton family, but sometime before the outbreak of war had gone to reside at Whitby, near Chester. Until two years ago, when his home was in Seabank Road, he was a prominent member of New Brighton Rugby Club, playing in the forward line with his brother, Mr. S. Burnell, of Earlston Road, Liscard. After leaving New Brighton he became associated with the Birkenhead Park Club. During four seasons he had a place in the Cheshire XV.
He joined the Scottish in August and received a commission in March.
Research and newspaper article by Chris Booth. Photograph of George courtesy of the Birkenhead Park Rugby Club.