Military History

George is listed as being killed in action on 16th June 1915. The 1st/4th Battalion war diary is very difficult to read but the following description of events is taken from the book he Fourth Battalion, The King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) and the Great War by J. Crossley and W.F.A. Wadham (click here to purchase).

Festubert – 15^th June 1915

At 6 p.m. on the 15th our attack commenced under heavy artillery fire from the enemy. It was led by the 1/4th Loyal North Lancs, on the right, and the 1/6th Scottish Rifles, with the 1/4th King's Own and 1/8th Liverpool (Irish) in support. "A" Company (less party selected from two platoons under Command of Lieut. R. Gardner for Brigade Relay Posts and less other details) were ordered to occupy and hold Sap L. 8. "B" Company moved to the old fire trench, and "C" Company moved forward to take their place in support. "D" Company moved into support trench, and it was reported that two lines of German trenches had been occupied by 6.20 p.m. "D" Company were in position at 6.50 when a number of wounded of the 6th Scottish Rifles passed through.

At 7.20 all reports from the front were satisfactory.

At 8 p.m. "B" and "C" Companies were ordered to push on in support of the Loyals and Scottish Rifles, who asked for reinforcements. "D" were ordered to the fire trench and arrived at 8.25 p.m. The progress of "A" Company (less detachment) to Sap L. 8 was delayed by blocks ahead, and bridges broken by shell fire, but they reached their position and performed their allotted duty. "D" Company moved forward to support the Loyals, and threw back their right flank whilst trying to get into touch with the Grenadier Guards.

At 9 p.m. the last platoon of "D" Company was sent from the reserve trench to rejoin their Company in front. The 8th Liverpools commenced to arrive and moved two Companies to the old fire trench, and one to support. Battalion Headquarters got into touch with the firing line through Lieut. Taylor, the Bombing Officer. Lieut. A. A. Wright, in charge of the Machine Gun Section, was ordered to reinforce the firing line. This move commenced, but could not be completed and the machine guns were buried as the result of enemy shell fire. All the Companies concerned exhibited great gallantry and performed their duties with devotion, and showed fine discipline and steadiness, and excellent fighting qualities.

Between 10 and 11 p.m. a retirement was ordered. "D" Company still tried to establish contact with the Grenadier Guards on our right, but this was not effected until some two hours later. An Officer of the Loyals reported at Battalion Headquarters about midnight, but could give no clear information of conditions in front.

Festubert  - 16th June 1915

At 12.30 a.m. on the 16th, the German counter-attack was delivered, artillery support was impracticable, heavy casualties had occurred amongst the Officers of the attacking battalions, no supports came up on our right, and our right flank was therefore in peril. Enemy pressure increased, and retirement along the line was effected in good order.

At 1.45 a.m. an order was received to re-form the Battalion in the reserve trench, and a Battalion from the 152nd Brigade moved up in support, the 8th Liverpools taking over the old fire trench.

On relief the Battalion assembled at Le Touret at 10 a.m. on the 16th. Such is the bare outline of events on this memorable night. Let us examine them a little more closely and see what they reveal. It would be natural to assume that the result of the encounter was negative, seeing that the relative positions of the opposing forces now remained as before. It had been rumoured that this Action was to synchronise with an attack on a large scale by the French between Arras and La Bassee, but this idea was dispelled when it was found that the troops on our right did not co-operate.