Huthwaite WW One Memorial
1914 - 1918 Remembrance
Aaron Gannon
Private 29780 - Sherwood Foresters
Notts Derby Regiment 17th Battalion
Enlisted: Mansfield
Died of Wounds: France 4th July 1916 : Aged 17
Bethune Town Cemetery V F 44
Huthwaite Online WW1 Remembrance
Private 29780 Aaron Gannon was born Q4 1898 in Hucknall Huthwaite. Parents 1893 marriage between coal miner Mr Thomas Gannon from Clay Cross and Miss Eugenia Richards from Hucknall-under-Huthwaite is where they raised ten healthy children. Huthwaite 1901 lists household on Sutton Road headed by Thomas 38. Mrs Eugenia Gannon 29 is then mothering Mary E Richards 11, Ernest Hedly 8, Rhoda 6, Mable 4, Aaron 2 and Agnes E 6 month. Later arrivals were Lennard 1904, Annie 1906, Florence Ada 1908 and Avis Williamson 1910, before separating family between two different 1911 Huthwaite addresses.
Mr Aaron Gannon would typically start work from age 13 at New Hucknall Colliery, while next living with father at 15 Newcastle Street. Thomas 39, then headed daughters and sons Mabel 14, Aaron 12, Agnes 10 and Lennard, along with Housekeeper Mary Jane Rouse 31, with her own daughter Maggie 5. Housewife Mrs Eugenie Gannon 39, however, headed a Main Street home for their coal mining son Ernest Hedley 18, and daughters Rhoda 16, Annie 5, Florence 3, and Avis Williamson 1.
Private Aaron Gannon enlisted in Mansfield alongside several friends likely recruited pit top, despite being an under aged 16 year old offering updated place of residence potentially still shared with father at 5 Penn Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield. Hiding true age using nickname Dick Gannon may account for accepted service with the 17th Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment.
Private 29780 Dick Gannon is thereafter registered through military service with the Sherwood Foresters deployed into Flanders France Western Front. Wounds inflicted after about four months in trenches dated death next day 4th July 1917, aged 17.
D Gannon is officially commemorated in the Bethune Town Cemetery, whereas Sutton Town and Huthwaite cemetery cenotaphs locally remember A Gannon, furthermore named Aaron Gannon on the Huthwaite Sherwood Street Methodist Church plaque.
SUTTON SOLDIER BOY'S DEATH
IN THE TRENCHES AT 17
News has been received of the death in action of Private Aaron Gannon, 5, Penn Street, Sutton. This young soldier, who formerly worked at the New Hucknall Colliery, was but 17 years of age, and was only 16 when he enlisted with several of his friends. He joined the 17th Sherwoods, and had been out in the trenches about four months prior to being killed last week.
The sad intimation was conveyed to the gallant soldier boy's father in the following letters:-
While bravely doing his duty your son was severely wounded, and I regret to say that though everything possible was done to pull him round he died. He was always willing and cheerful over his work, and his death is a loss to us of a good soldier. He met his death while engaged on special duty, for which he bravely volunteered. I deeply sympathise with you in your sacrifice for king and country, and as he was in my platoon I wish to personally assure you that he died a noble death. - Yours, etc., F.C. Dennis.
Gannon. - Sacred to the Memory of Private Aaron Gannon, 17th Sherwood Foresters, the beloved Son of Eugenie Gannon, who died July 4th, 1916, from wounds received in Action, in France, on July 3rd, aged 17 years. Two years have passed, but who can tell The loss of one we loved so well; His welcome smile, His dear sweet face, Never on earth can be replaced. - From his loving Mother, Brothers and Sisters.
It is with great regret that I am writing to you to inform you of the death of your son Private Gannon, who was one of the best lads I had in my Company. He has been under my command since his enlistment, and I have always found him a keen and good soldier. On July 3rd some special work had to be undertaken, and he asked to be permitted to be in the party. During the execution of this work he, the officer in charge and several others were wounded. All that could be done was done immediately, and I saw him just as he was being taken out of the trenches and he seemed quite cheerful and going on all right, and it was a great shock to me when I heard next day that he had died. I wish to convey to you, your wife and family, the heartfelt sympathy of myself and my officers in your loss, and at the same time to assure you that I have lost one of my best lads, who always did his duty well and cheerfully. -
Yours, etc., Captain F.B. Ladlow.
P.S. - Any personal effects that were in his possession will be sent on to you by the authorities at the Base.
23 Jul 06 by Gary Elliott Updated 06 Feb 19