George Raymond Gough. RNVR, Wales, Ordinary Seaman, Z 3673.

George was born in Abersychan, Monmouthshire, Wales either on 19th November 1896 (as stated on school entry records) or 5th November 1897 (as stated on his Naval records). He was recorded on the 1901 census aged five, the second oldest of five children, along with his father, two domestic servants and a boarder, Sarah Doel at 10 Broad Street, Abersychan.

He joined the RNVR for the duration of hostilities on 31st August 1916, intending to return to his father's fishmonger's and fruiter business, recorded at 5'9" tall, with light brown hair and blue eyes.

George trained at HMS VICTORY VI as an Ordinary Seaman from 22nd January 1917 to 20th May 1917, then spent another month at HMS PEMBROKE I with his final day at the depot on 25th June 1917

George possibly had the shortest service time aboard the HMS VANGUARD, spending just 13 days on-board before he was killed, having been posted on 26th June 1917.

Following his death his pension was awarded to his father along with his Victory and British war medals.

(#163 - 329/843)

Sources:

1901 Wales Census

Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Service Records, 1903-1922 National Archives; Kew, Surrey, England; ADM 337: Admiralty: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve: Records of Service, First World War; Reference: ADM 337/89

British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: 008 (1914 - 1919)

CWGC Register

Navy Lists, 1888-1970

Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 126

WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 079/0372/GOS-GOU

Photo image courtesy of Gwent Archives.