History group in search for First World War soldier's family

Sapper George Gough had taken a bullet in his shoulder which had paralysed him from the waist down in the build-up to the Battle of Loos. Despite doctors' best efforts, he died four months later from his wounds.

He was buried with full military honours at the parish church in Norton Canes, near Cannock, where he had been baptised 22 years earlier.

According to local news reports, the whole village turned out for his funeral at St James Church. A party of Leicester Regiment soldiers from the nearby Rugeley camp fired a salute over his grave. But now his headstone has fallen into disrepair and local military history group The Chase Project, which uncovered the Messines model on Cannock Chase, want it restored.

Richard Pursehouse and Lee Dent would like the family grave taken over by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission(CWGC) in recognition of his sacrifice. The marble cross has been broken from its base and, when they found it, the fallen headstone of a neighbouring grave was lying across it.

Now the pair are appealing for relatives of Sapper Gough to come forward so they can ask their permission to make any changes.

Mr Pursehouse, of Wootton Court, Cannock, said: "Having found out who he was and how he died, we thought it would be fitting for him to have a military grave. To have the whole village turn out to your funeral and now to see the grave in this derelict condition is very sad.

"It may be that any relatives that do come forward would rather it remained as a family grave, but on the other hand they might welcome it." In December the CWGC carried out some work to improve the appearance of the grave after they were contacted by the two researchers.

Sapper Gough, a driver with the 2nd North Midland Field Company, was the youngest son of John and Eliza Gough, of Hednesford Road, Norton Canes. He worked as a ropeman in

Cannock's Conduit Colliery before volunteering for France and had two older brothers – William and John.

Mr Pursehouse said that there are 21 Goughs listed as living locally, including one in Norton Canes. He is hoping that the appeal will be seen by descendents of Sapper Gough's brothers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact them by email at thechaseproject@gmail.com