Military History

George is listed as being killed in action on 31 Jul 1915. The 9th Battalion war diary entry for 31 Jul 1915 is transcribed below, at times it is difficult to read and understand.

Right Sector: At 2:15am enemy sent up star shell and apparently made an attempt at liquid fire which failed. During day battalion had frequently notified brigade of preparations for this fire at different places in enemies trenches and these were fired on by British howitzers possibly with effect. After star shells went up a very heavy bombardment was opened again by both sides. Soon after a report came to O/C Bn from 9^th KRRifles That enemy had attacked across open on 9^th KRRifles  but were stopped by British Gun fire.

All telephone communications having ceased because of events could only be guessed at BN HQ by listening?. As attack was made very heavy rifle and machine gun fire was delivered from 9^th Rif Bde and 9^th KKRifC. O/C notified by brigade at 2:15am that a company of 5 Shrops LI would come up to F.2 and at 2.20am Unit O/C was to connect with Durham LI who held S.5. CO was made responsible for line Birr Cross Road to Zouave Wood& trenches S.5,6,7,8,9,10 & 11. And it was left to his discretion how to dispose troops. This in addition to holding trenches occupied by 9^th Rif Brig.

Two platoons 5^th Shrops LI arrived at S11 at 8am. About 9am C.O. was informed that a German bombing post was established in a ruined house at end of G.10. Reports were also received from Capt Benson 9^th KKRifC in G.10 and Capt Willoughby 9^th Rif Bde in H15, 16 that Germans with packs on was seen entering redoubt and trenches opposite H13, 14, 15. Above thought a relief was being effected. Many German wounded were seen being carried away all morning.

A report as to German lodgement in G10 was made to Brigade which ordered 9^th Rif Bde to eject enemy. Bombing officer proceeded to end of G10 and found the task impossible owing to flanking fire from German redoubt. A breast work was built at about 40yards from ruined house and a bombing party established there.

There was great difficulty as to proper supply of small bombs, the trench being too narrow to allow handled bombs to be thrown. Bombing officer 9^th Rif Bde claims to have shot 3 German bombers with a rifle at this point. About noon 5^th Shrops LI bombers and bombing parties from West Yorks and Leicester Regt arrived. As 9^th Rif Bde bombers well I wanted urgently to watch Saps on own front 5 Shrops LI bombers were posted in G.10. West Yorks bombers were posted at H.15 and Leicester bombers remained in reserve at Culvert.

At 8pm 1½  Coys 5^th Shrops LI arrived at Bn HQ. These were distributed along the line Birr Cross Road NW corner of Zouave Wood, this line was now occupied throughout its length by 5^th Shrops LI, 9^th Rif Bde, 10^th Durham LI and 5^th Somerset LI but the line was weak as the trench was bad and gave very small protection. On the morning of the 1^st it had been the intention to relieve the 9^th KRRifle by day. This was abandoned owing to the enemy lodgement in G10.

In total the battalion suffered 242 killed and wounded during these events.