GOUGH, Norman

Norman Gough lived at Red Hill, Stourbridge. He was educated at Shrewsbury School and joined the Public Schools Corps when the Great War started. He was commissioned into the Worcesters and joined the 1/7th Battalion in time to join them when they crossed to France in March 1915. They saw front line action in quiet sectors during that year and by June 1916 were ready for the Battle of the Somme. For the second phase starting on 14th July they were stationed in the front line facing Ovillers. As the troops advanced over open ground, there was much enemy machine gun fire from the flank and heavy losses were sustained. According to a letter from his Commanding Officer Norman Gough was wounded in the shoulder and leg and taken prisoner by the Germans. However, the wounds were so serious that he died shortly afterwards. Lieutenant Norman Gough was 22 years of age and is buried in Pozičres Cemetery (4 G 35) and commemorated on the Stourbridge, Oldswinford church and Shrewsbury school Memorials and on his parents' grave in Stourbridge Cemetery.