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Gerald Ainsworth

Gerald Ainsworth was born in Turton near Edgeworth, Lancashire in 1880.   In 1901 he was living at Springbank, Edgeworth and employed as an engineering draftsman.

In Oct 1909 he married (Anna) Margaret Hutchinson at Westborough.  The wedding was conducted by Margaret’s brother in law, Rev E Hall Footitt, rector of Westborough, assisted by Rev I Platt, the vicar of Turton, who was Gerald’s brother in law.

In Nov 1909 the couple left for South Africa where Gerald became a mining engineer in Johannesburg.  They sailed first class on SS Umgemi from London to Port Natal (Durban) via the Canary Islands.

At the outbreak of the Great War Gerald returned to England and enlisted in 20th (Public Schools) Royal Fusiliers in the autumn of 1914.  He trained in the machine gun section and was sent to the western front in 1915.  When the 20th Battalion was disbanded in Feb 1918 he was transferred to 2nd Royal Fusiliers.   

L/Cpl Ainsworth died on 27th March 1918.  Their unit was one several in the area of Bray-sur-Somme who were almost surrounded by the German spring offensive and were ordered to to hold the line at all costs.  His body was not identified but he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial.

Anna Margaret was left with 2 small children.  She lived at Westborough Lodge with her unmarried sister until they sold up in 1927.  Anna Margaret died in 1967, aged 90.