Sgt. G.S. Tyerman

FIRST NAMES: Gordon Smith

UNIT: 2nd Yorkshire Regiment

NUMBER: 9594

STATUS: Died

DATE OF DEATH: 22nd February 1919

CEMETERY OR MEMORIAL: Brompton Churchyard

AGE: 24

Gordon Tyerman was born in Brompton in September 1894 and was brought up as a Wesleyan. His father was called Joseph and his brother, George, is also commemorated on the memorial. Fred and William Tyerman were both cousins of Gordon's father, Joseph. Gordon worked as a draper before joining the army in October 1910. He was described on enlistment as being 18 years of age, 5ft 7ins tall, with a sallow complexion, brown hair and brown eyes. He also had a distinctive scar on his forehead.

He attained the rank of corporal and went to France with 2nd Yorkshires in August 1914 as part of the original British Expeditionery Force. He was wounded in the head, by shrapnel, in heavy fighting near Ypres in October/ November 1914. He was unconcious for 2 or 3 hours after he was wounded and was lucky to survive at the time. Serious head wounds received under battle conditions are often fatal today and certainly were extremely serious considering the medical facilities which were available in 1914.

It is presumed that, although he survived it at the time, he must have died as a result of the wound he received during the War. He was buried in Brompton Cemetery after a Wesleyan ceremony. According to his death certificate, he was 24 years of age when he died. Clearly, he lied about his age when he enlisted, as both his birth and death certificates confirm that he was only (just) 16 years of age in October 1910.