South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| Africa | British War & Victory Medals | Nairobl South Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 4 May 1915 in Kilindini Harbour, Kenya | ~ | Studley War Memorial |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | Other War Memorials |
| Died of Dysentery | on or after 18 January 1915 | ~ |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| Military Hospital, Nairobi | ~ | |
Circumstances of Death
| George died of Dysentery on 18th January 1918 at a Military Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.
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| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Jul Qtr 1873 in Morton Bagot | 21 Sep 1873 in Morton Bagot |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Charles and Mary Ann Pettifer | Reddich |
| Wife and Marriage Details | Children |
| Mabel Pettifer nee Jowitt | Aubrey born 24 Feb 1904 |
| Ruby Agnes born 22 Aug 1906 | |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1873 - Morton Bagot | 1881 - Scholar |
| 1881 - Alcester Road, Studley | 1891 - Farm Labourer |
| 1891 - Heay Farm Lane, Studley | 1903 - Police Constable |
| 1903 - Stockingford, Nuneaton | 1911 - Coal Miner |
| 1911 - 13 Hartington Cottages, Staveley, Derbyshire | |
| 1916 - 181 Queen's Road, Beighton, Sheffield (family) | |
Brief History of the 25th Battalion in Africa (Courtesy of Grok 3 XAI)
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The 25th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, also known as the Frontiersmen, arrived in British East Africa (modern-day Kenya) in May 1915 during the First World War. This unique unit was formed in February 1915 by Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Patrick Driscoll, under the auspices of the Legion of Frontiersmen, a group known for attracting adventurous and experienced men from diverse backgrounds. The battalion was composed largely of older volunteers, many of whom were veterans of conflicts like the Boer War, and included an eclectic mix of individuals such as big-game hunters, cowboys, a circus clown, and even a lion tamer.
On April 10, 1915, the battalion embarked from Devonport, England, aboard the Hired Troopship Neuralia. They arrived at Kilindini Harbour in Mombasa on May 4, 1915, and by May 6, they had reached their initial base at Kajiado, about half a mile from the railway station. Unlike most British units, the 25th Battalion was sent overseas with minimal formal training in the UK, a decision based on the perceived high quality and prior experience of its recruits. Upon arrival, they began training that had been deemed unnecessary earlier, adapting to the conditions of East Africa.
In May 1915, the battalion’s primary role was to bolster British defenses against German forces operating from German East Africa (modern-day Tanzania). The East African campaign was a lesser-known theater of the war, characterized by harsh terrain, tropical diseases, and guerrilla-style warfare. The 25th Battalion was initially stationed at Kajiado, where they spent the first few months acclimatizing and preparing for operations along the border. Their early activities included setting up defenses and conducting patrols, laying the groundwork for later engagements such as the attack on Bukoba in June 1915.
This period marked the beginning of their three-year campaign in East Africa, where they would earn a reputation for resilience and adaptability, eventually gaining battle honors like “Kilimanjaro,” “Behobeho,” “Nyangao,” and “East Africa 1915-1917” for their service against German forces under commanders like Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck.
The sources used by Grok 3 to compose the above were:
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