Harrogate Herald - 22nd March 1916

Photo - Second Lieutenant Godfrey H Averdieck, 16th King's Royal Rifles Corps, son of Mr and Mrs G H Averdieck, of 18 Beech Grove, Harrogate, was killed in France on March 11th.

Harrogate herald - 22nd March 1916

Mr and Mrs G H Averdieck, of 18 Beech Grove, Harrogate, have received official intimation that their eldest surviving son, Second Lieutenant Godfrey Harold Averdieck, was killed in France on March 11th. He was 31 years of age and an officer of the 16th King's Royal Rifles Corps. Educated first at the Preparatory School of the Rev S Cornish, Clevedon, Somerset, and at Charterhouse, he received further education on the Continent, and afterwards entered the firm of his father - Messrs Kessler and Company(Limited), Manchester and Bradford - of which firm by his business ability he became a director in 1912. he enlisted in May of last year, volunteering because he considered it his duty to do so, and gave his life for his King and country. He passed through the Inns of Court OTC into the Army. A devotee of all outdoor sports, he was a member and captain of the Bradford Rowing Club, and as a good man to hounds he used to hunt with the Bramham Moor, and he was also a subscriber to the Airedale Beagles. He had a high appreciation of classical music and of literature. Lieutenant Averdieck's father a most gracious message from the King and Queen expressing their sympathy at the loss of their son, and also the loss which His Majesty and the Army have sustained - a message which will be most highly appreciated by his father. His commanding officer writes : "He was always cheerful and encouraging, and his loss to the Battalion will be severely felt. I know that I have personally lost in him a fine officer and a man whose friendship I should have highly prized".

Major A D Cooban, of the deceased's Battalion, writing to Mr Averdieck, says that Lieutenant Averdieck was killed by a stray bullet, whilst going up one of the communication trenches to the front line firing trenches. He adds : "The officers of his Company feel very much his loss. He was always in perfect good humour and ready to assist anyone else. The men have remarked he was always such a nice gentleman. My loss is great, and you will always know that in 1 Platoon he will never be forgotten. The officers join with me in asking you to accept our deep sympathy".

The Chaplain of the Regiment also wrote to Mr Averdieck, and remarked that "the end came just, I think, as he would have wished - doing his duty in the trenches. His death was sudden and painless. We buried him in the soldiers' cemetery last Sunday (March 12th) and a large number of men voluntarily attended the service. May I add I believe your boy was ready for the call. This must be a severe blow to you, and perhaps can only be softened by the nobility of his sacrifice, and the reasons you have of feeling so proud of him".

Anther son of Mr Averdieck lost his life in June, 1914. he was returning from Canada and was on board the Empress of Ireland, when run down in the St Lawrence river by a collier.

SDGW

16th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps

Second Lieutenant Godfrey Harold Averdieck

Died : 11th March 1916

KIA

CWGC

In Memory of

GODFREY HAROLD AVERDIECK

Second Lieutenant 16th Bn., King's Royal Rifle Corps who died onSaturday, 11th March 1916. Age 31.

Additional Information:

Of Bradford. Son of George H and Emma Averdieck, of 18, Beech Grove, Harrogate.

Commemorative Information

Cemetery:

CAMBRIN CHURCHYARD EXTENSION, Pas de Calais, France

Grave Reference/Panel Number: L. 17.