Military History

George is listed as dying of his wounds at the 20 British Field Ambulance on 01 May 1915. We believe that he died on the same day he  was wounded and the war diary for 01 May 1915 is transcribed below.

Trenches near Croix Barbee – 1-5.15 – 4.30am: Enemy commenced heavy artillery bombardment to which our artillery commence to reply at about 4:50am a few shells landed on A Coys parapet which was breached in four places, also in communication trench on the left of A Coy two dug outs being demolished. C Coy and their parapet suffered no damage only one shell landing just in front of the parapet. On the right shells landed chiefly between the frontline and the salient, only one shell landed in the salient which demolished a dug out and also about supporting trench connecting Port Athur and Snipers House, this trench was unoccupied.

On the right shells landed in rear of frontline and also about parapet of supporting trench from Snipers House and the east of it which was also unoccupied. In the center many shells landed round Snipers House one landing in the long communication trench. About 5.00am the enemy apparently lengthened their fuses and shell appeared to be dotted northwards along the Estauers Road. No shells landed in the work where the Reserve Coy is situated though some fell short of it. Enemies bombardment ceased about 5:30am.  One biplane and one monoplane of the enemy were above our lines from 5:30 to 9:30am. Our artillery breached enemies parapet in eight places. Our casualties were one officer and two men killed and 18 N.C.O’s and men wounded. The enemy at no time showed themselves. Reminder of day was quiet. Bridges in our parapet were repaired by 11:00am. Our snipers accounted for two German snipers. END