Main CPGW Record
Surname: EARNSHAW
Forename(s): George
Place of Birth: Langcliffe, Yorkshire
Service No: J/30711
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Navy
Battalion / Unit: H.M.S. 'Defence'
Division: ---
Age: 18
Date of Death: 1916-05-31
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: 14.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: CARLETON-IN-CRAVEN, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
George Earnshaw (born 14 January 1898) was the son of Thomas and Sophia Earnshaw, née Whaites. Thomas was born at Orms Gill Green, Scosthrop, Yorkshire and Sophia at Ringland, Norfolk. George was the nephew of A/Sergeant Kayley Earnshaw (11988) (q.v.) and Private Farrand Earnshaw (27500) (q.v.)
1901 Langcliffe, Yorkshire Census: Winskill Farm - George Earnshaw aged 4 years, born Langcliffe, son of Thomas and Sophia Earnshaw.
1911 Carleton-in-Craven, Yorkshire Census: 13, Vicar's Row - George Earnshaw, aged 13 years, born Lancliffe [sic], Yorkshire, nephew of William and Mary Earnshaw. [George's mother died in 1909; in 1911 his father was living at Settle, Yorkshire.]
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for George. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mr Thomas Earnshaw. Relationship: Father. Address: 26, Midland Street, Skipton.
George died on the same ship as Lieutenant Stephen Henry Slingsby (q.v.).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
EARNSHAW, Seaman George, aged 18, of H.M.S. 'Defence,' son of Mr. Thos. Earnshaw, Church Street, [Carleton], killed in action June 1916.
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Ordinary Seaman George EARNSHAW
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Navy
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
09 June 1916
EARNSHAW – May 31st, killed in Naval action, Seaman George Earnshaw, R.N., H.M.S. ‘Defence,’ son of Mr. Thomas Earnshaw, Church Street, Carleton, aged 18 years.
09 June 1916
CARLETON SAILOR’S SACRIFICE
Another Carleton sailor is feared to have gone down with the ‘Defence’ viz. Seaman George Earnshaw, son of Mr. Thos. Earnshaw, of Church Street. Seaman Earnshaw, who was 18 years of age, joined the Navy about four years ago, and after spending some time in a training school at Liscard received further instruction on H.M.S. ‘Powerful,’ subsequently serving on the ‘Defiance’ and the ‘Defence’. He was a very promising young fellow on the threshold of a fine career, in which Lieut. S.H. Slingsby and other members of the family were interesting themselves. In his work he was connected with the telephone service and had specialised in electricity. He made splendid progress and was 18 months ahead in his examinations. Referring to his duty in a letter, Seaman Earnshaw said: “My work is a responsible job. I am in the transmitting station down in the submerged flats and have to transmit messages to the gunners.” About three weeks ago, he was home on short leave. Seaman Earnshaw was one of three brothers serving their King and Country, one of the others having seen service with General Botha in German East Africa, and the third having been eight months at the Front with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. The deceased sailor was a former chorister at Carleton Parish Church, and a member of the local troop of Boy Scouts.
09 June 1916
LIEUT. S. H. SLINGSBY KILLED – Family’s Third Bereavement
The Craven district has contributed its quota to the heroes who so nobly upheld Britain’s naval tradition in the recent engagement in the North Sea. On Saturday morning Mr. J. Arthur Slingsby, and Mrs. Slingsby, Carla Beck, Skipton, were informed by the Admiralty that their fourth son, Lieut. Stephen Henry Slingsby, R.N., had been killed while in action on H.M.S. ‘Defence.’
The deceased officer was born on the 20th of June, 1892, and educated at St. Edmund’s School, Hindhead, and underwent training for his career in the Navy at the Royal Naval Colleges at Osborne and Dartmouth, and on H.M.S. ‘Cornwall.’ His ships included the ‘Warrior,’ ‘Cochrane,’ ‘Comet’ and the ‘Defence.’ At the outbreak of war he was sub-Lieut. on the Comet, a destroyer, and was posted to the 'Defence' as Lieut. (E) in September, 1915. He was the holder of the medal of the Royal Life Saving Society, which he won at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, in July, 1909.
Lieut. Slingsby took a keen interest in the progress and well-being of his men, assisting in their work, joining in their games and doing his utmost for their comfort and advancement. He was home on leave about three weeks’ ago, his visit coinciding with that of two Carleton boys in the naval service: one a seaman [Ordinary Seaman George Earnshaw] on Lieut. Slingsby’s ship, who, it is feared, made the supreme sacrifice at the same time as his officer. The deceased was a fine type of the keen, vigorous manhood which has upheld Britain’s cause so magnificently in the present conflict, and the deepest sympathy is expressed with Mr. and Mrs. Slingsby in the loss of another gallant son – the third within twelve months.
At the meeting of the appeal Tribunal to the Northern Division of the West Riding at Leeds Town Hall on Tuesday, the Tribunal adopted a vote of sympathy and condolence with Mr. Slingsby, one of the members of the Tribunal, on the loss of his son, Lieut. S. H. Slingsby, R.N., in the battle off Jutland.
26 July 1918
SKIPTON URBAN TRIBUNAL – APPEALS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS
A Patriotic Family. – Representing the Governors, Mr. Algernon Dewhurst appealed on behalf of the gardener at the Girls’ High School, 47 and married, Grade 2, and stated that the man had charge of two acres of land, 1,000 yards of which was kitchen garden, the produce being for the use of the school mistresses and boarders. The Governors has advertised for either a male or female gardener, but there was not a single female applicant. The man had also two allotments of 700 yards. He had lost a son in the Jutland Battle, another had been through the East African campaign and was now in France, while a third enlisted at the age of 14 when war broke out and took part in the retreat from Mons. Two brothers of applicant had also been killed. – Six months’ exemption, not to drill.
[This article refers to Mr. Thomas Earnshaw the father of Ordinary Seaman George Earnshaw, who was killed on the 31 May 1916; and the brother of A/Sgt. Kayley Earnshaw, killed in action, 9 June 1916 and Pte. Farrand Earnshaw, killed in action, 1 July 1916.]
30 May 1919
EARNSHAW – In loving memory of a dear brother, Seaman George Earnshaw, who lost his life in the Battle of Jutland, May 31st, 1916.
Upright and just in all his ways,
Faithful and true to the end of his days.
Forgotten to the world by some he may be,
But true to our memory he ever will be.
From his Sister and Brother-in-law, Amy and Charlie, New Barn Farm, Helmshore.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
09 June 1916
FEARED DEATH OF CARLETON SAILOR
It is feared that another Carleton sailor, Seaman George Earnshaw, son of Mr. Thos. Earnshaw, of Church Street, has met his death on H.M.S. ‘Defence’, which was sunk in the naval engagement that took place in the North Sea last week. Seaman Earnshaw, who was 18 years of age, joined the Navy when 14. The late Lieut. Stephen Slingsby had taken a great interest in the lad’s career, as indeed have other members of the Slingsby family, with the result that Earnshaw was 18 months ahead of his examinations. He was only home on leave three weeks ago, at the same time as Lieut. Slingsby, and Earnshaw and two other naval men were entertained to tea at Carla Beck by Lieut. Slingsby. He was spoken of as an exceptionally fine young man. He was two years training in the Naval School at Liscard. Mr. Earnshaw has also two other sons serving in the army, one having been with General Botha in German East Africa, and the other has been at the Front eight months with the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment. Mr. Earnshaw is brother to the Earnshaw, D.C.M., of Airton. Seaman Earnshaw was a chorister at Carleton Parish Church, and also a member of the local troop of Boy Scouts.
18 August 1916
ANOTHER AIRTON SOLDIER KILLED
Mrs. Earnshaw, of Airton, whose youngest son, Farrand, was reported as missing from July 1st, has received from the War Office today a statement that her son was killed in action in France on July 1st. Great sympathy is felt for Mrs. Earnshaw and her family in this their third bereavement. Her son, Sergeant Kayley Earnshaw, D.C.M., was killed on June 9th, and her grandson, Seaman Earnshaw, was lost in the naval battle.
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George was my grandmother’s brother. I heard he’d fibbed about his age and he was actually 16, poor boy. So sad. My grandmother was Marjorie Earnshaw.