George's Story.
EARLY LIFE
George Lockett was born on 19 July 1896 and baptised on 30 May 1897 in Macclesfield, the son of Annie (nee Tomkinson) and George Henry Lockett, a bricklayer's labourer of 2 Cotton St, Macclesfield. In 1901, four-year-old George was living at that address with his parents and siblings Emily (2) and Arthur (8 months). Another sister, Annie, was born in 1901. By 1911 the family had moved to 22 Cotton St, and George was employed as a cotton card room operative.
On 26 February 1916, George married Phyllis Hill at St Michael's Church, Macclesfield. Phyllis later lived at 13 Barracks Square, Crompton Rd, Macclesfield.
WW1 SERVICE
An entry for Private Lockett was printed in volume 4 of De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914-1918:
GEORGE LOCKETT son of George Henry Lockett, of Charles Street, Macclesfield, Cotton Operator, by his wife, Annie, dau. of William Tomkinson; b. 19 July, 1896 ; educ. there; was employed by a firm of Silk Manufacturers; joined the Cheshire Territorials 3 Feb. 1913; was mobilized on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914; served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force at Gallipoli from 17 July, 1915; took part in the landing at Suvla Bay; contracted fever, and was invalided to England; on recovery served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in Egypt and Palestine; was taken prisoner at the Battle of Gaza, and died at the Military Hospital at Constantinople 10 June, 1918, of typhus fever, contracted while on military service. He married at St. Michael's Parish Church, Macclesfield, 26 Feb. 1916, Phyllis, dau. of Francis Hill; had no children.
George was reported to be a prisoner of war in the Macclesfield Advertiser on 15 June 1916:
MISSING MAN WRITES HOME - Private G Lockett, Cheshire Regt, son of Mr G H Lockett, 22 Cotton St, Macclesfield, who was officially posted as missing after the battle of Gaza on March 26th, has written to his parents stating that he is a prisoner of war in Turkey. He writes that he is in the best of health, and that he is being transferred to another destination. Private Lockett, who is married, was mobilised on the outbreak of war, when he was in the employ of Mr Harry Turner, Brookside Mills, as a tie cutter. He was wounded in the arm at Suvla Bay.
George later became ill with typhus and his death was reported in the Macclesfield Times on 23 August 1918:
DIED - Mrs Lockett, 13 Barracks Square, Macclesfield, has received news that her husband, Signaller George Lockett, Cheshire Regt, has died a prisoner of war at Maltipi Hospital, Constantinople, from typhus. Signaller Lockett was mobilised with the local Territorials on the outbreak of war and took part in the landing at Suvla Bay. While in the Dardanelles he contracted fever and was invalided to England. During his convalescence he married. Later he was drafted out to Egypt and was taken prisoner at the battle of Gaza. He was in hospital some time and only a few weeks ago his wife received a letter from him stating that he was almost better. He must, however, have had a relapse, as the official notification states that he died on June 10th. Signaller Lockett was 21 years of age and was educated at Duke Street School. He attended the Parish Church and was a member of the Bible Class. Prior to enlistment he was employed by Mr H Turner, silk manufacturer, Macclesfield.
COMMEMORATION
Private George Lockett is buried at the Haidar Pasha Cemetery, Turkey, in grave ref. II. D. 17. The inscription "THY WILL BE DONE" was added to his headstone.
In Macclesfield, Private George Lockett is commemorated on the Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church and Christ Church war memorials.
SOURCES
GRO (England & Wales) Index: Births, Marriages
CheshireBMD: Marriages
Census (England & Wales): 1901, 1911
De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914-1918 (Find My Past)
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Lives of the First World War website
Macclesfield Advertiser: 15 June 1916
Macclesfield Times: 23 August 1918; 23 September 1921 (photo supplement)
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.