Military History

George is listed as dying of wounds on 3 Sep 1918. We are not sure on which day he was wounded but as he is buried close to where his battaion were stationed it is assumed that it was close to the day he died. The 1st Battalion war diary entries for the period 1st to 3rd September are transcribed, in full, below.

Gory Trench - NE of Vis-en-Artois - 1918 1st Sept: Fine day. Our artillery of all calibres are very active on the Drocourt-Queant Line, especially wire cutting. Orders are received at midday from Brigade that the 10th British Brigade us being at night by the 10th Canadian Brigade, but the Battalion itself will not be retiring but merely move back on receipt of orders.

The Commanding Officer is called to a conference at Brigade at midday and the forthcoming attack on the Drocourt-Queant Line is gone into. This is explained to all officers and N.C.O's.

The 10th Brigade is in Divisional Reserve. The battalion assembles at night in Gory Trench, No 1 Composite Company rejoining about 3am after being attached to the 2nd Duke of Wellington's Regt. Battalion Headquarters moves to O.17.a.3.4. Active night.

Trenches - NE of Vis-en-Artois - 1918 2nd Sept: Zero hour is at 5am. 12^th Brigade are in the last wave of the attack with the 4th Canadian Division on the right. The first objective consisting of the support line of the Drocourt-Queant system is taken by noon and several hundred prisoners taken. The 11^th Brogade then proceed to pass through the 12^th Brigade to the 2^nd and 3^rd objectives. The Battalion is ordered to take up a position in trench running along Wood Lane in NW of Remy Wood. Enemy artillery below normal. Quiet night.

Trenches - NE of Vis-en-Artois - 1918 2nd Sept: Fine day. Warning order received from Brigade that the Battalion will probably have to move forward and occupy the Drocourt-Queant line as 11^th and 12^th Brigade have pushed on as far as L’Ecluse Wood. With this in view the trench system in P.4.a & c, eastr of Etaing is reconnoitered. No further orders reference this move however are received from Brigade.

About 4pm the 2^nd Welsh Regt of the 1^st Division come up to relieve the Battalion. On relief Companies move back to old trenches in vicinity of La Bergere Farm on Arras-Cambria Road where hot tea & soup is provided. Hostile artillery is very active. Dark night.

Battalion Detailed Statement of Casualties from War Diary:

1st Sept Killed Officers 0 & O.R. 2; Wounded Officers 0 and O.R. 4
2nd Sept Killed Officers 0 & O.R. 2; Wounded Officers 0 and O.R. 2
3rd Sept Killed Officers 0 & O.R. 0; Wounded Officers 0 and O.R. 2