233426 Pte. Hugh Sutcliffe British Army 13th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers from:Godley, Hyde, Cheshire (d.3rd July 1918) Unfortunately, there is very little to relate about my great uncle Hugh Sutcliffe. My first memory of him was his name inscribed on a wooden plaque of War Dead in the dining hall of my primary school. At that time I didn't even realise he was actually related to me, I'd pretended that he was my uncle without even realising he actually was.
I started researching my family history in about 2000 and soon discovered when and where Hughie was born (28 May 1898 in Oldham, Lancashire). He had one surviving sibling, my grandfather James Townsend Sutcliffe and through my research I was able to put together where the brothers lived and when they joined up.
I am incredibly lucky to have Hugh's service record which helped me get a better picture of Hugh's life. All I have of him is a faded photo from the local newspaper, telling of his death and that his brother had been awarded the Military Medal. I honour his service every year and plant a cross in the Field of Remembrance and though I never met the man, I like him and feel very proud of him.
I intend to travel to France and 'meet' my great uncle for the first time. He is buried at Mesnil Community Cemetery Extension. I can actually see his grave on google maps, he lies next to his friend, who fell the day after. It actually mentions that fact in the newspaper clipping.
No medals remain, no photos and nobody alive from that generation who mourns his passing. Just me, his great niece, who discovered his story and just wants someone else to know that he hasn't been forgotten.
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