In A.I.F. Burial ground, Flers, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 45566 Serjeant George McPherson serving with the 15th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry who died 16/09/1916.

George McPherson, born on the 7th June 1887 in Aberdeenshire, was the youngest son of William and Jane McPherson who, by 1891, were living in Longtown, Cumberland. William McPherson was then working for the North British Railway company as a Permanent Way Inspector – indeed Longtown was primarily a railway centre, with a considerable Scottish community.

George McPherson had three older brothers, and four half-siblings by his father’s first marriage to Jane Irving. He attended Trinity School, a grammar school in Carlisle, as a pupil-teacher in 1905-1906.

In 1906, George was admitted to Bede College and on completion of his two-year course was awarded his teaching certificate.

By 1911 he was employed by Durham County Council as an Assistant Teacher at Coxhoe Church School and was boarding with the Morcome family at Co-operative Terrace, Coxhoe, together with a fellow teacher, Arthur Turner. Both men were well-known members of the local football and cricket teams and of the Coxhoe Rifle Club.

When war was announced George was quick to answer the call, enlisting in Stockton on the 31st August 1914. He joined the 1/5th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry and, having received his first stripe, was sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force in April 1915 as a lance-corporal. He was again promoted in July of that year and the 1/5th Battalion was involved in actions during the Second Battles of Ypres.

Not long after another promotion in May 1916 to lance-sergeant, George contracted rheumatic fever and was confined to the 23rd General Hospital and other medical facilities for some weeks. On re-joining his unit he was appointed Acting Sergeant. His promotion to sergeant was completed on the 10th July 1916 following his attachment to the 15th (Service) Battalion, D.L.I.

George McPherson was posted missing on the 16th September following fierce fighting around Flers and Courcelette, during which tanks were used for the first time. The initial view of these novel machines must have been terrifying for any soldier facing the attack, and probably even to the infantry following them into action. His body was later located, and he is buried at Australian Imperial Force Burial Ground, Flers.

Coxhoe Local History Society has provided the information and photo.

George McPherson is remembered at Coxhoe on C103.01, C103.02, in C103.08 and C103.12, at Durham on D47.017, D47.52, D47.126, on D47.127 and D47.141 and in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance, page 246.

In Cumbria George McPherson is remembered at Trinity School, on the Longtown War Memorial, and on a plaque and in the family memorial at Arthuret Church.