Military History

George is listed as being killed in action on 7 May 1915, however the 1st/7th Battalion war diary shows that George was actually killed on the 6th May while he was on a working party working on front line trenches at Steenbeck, Wolverghen. A newspaper article, transcribed below in the Warwickshire Advertiser carries the details of how George was killed.

DEAD WARWICK SERGEANT - COMRADES' TRIBUTE

Mr. Stock of 21 Wharf-street, Warwick has received the following letter from Captain W.M. Bushill, 7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, in reference to the death of his son Sergeant Stock:-

"I am writing to offer my deepest sympathy in the loss you have sustained through the death of your son. I need hardly say that your grief is shared by every officer, N.C.O. and man of the regiment. As his company commander for the last six months, I feel his loss very deeply. He held a trusted position in my company, and it was during the execution of his duty, and a dangerous one at that, that he met his death. He was buried near the firing line and I and his friends will see that as long as we are in the neighbourhood his grave will be cared for.

Sergeant Cole describes how Sergeant Stock met his death in a letter to Mr. F. Stock of 47 Paradise-street, Warwick:

"Our platoon was working at night on the parapet when they were seen by Germans who had crept up to the listening post. The alarm was given and the Platoon opened fire on the Germans. Your brother, who was on duty with his platoon's listening post did not have sufficient time to reach the parapet and fell shot. The incident was sudden and was over in a few minutes. He lived for a short time and died peacefully.

When the sorrowful tidings were known there was quite a gloom over the trench, for all who knew him realised they had lost a comrade and a sincere friend. By his optomism and disposition to always "look on the bright side" he created a cheerful atmosphre amongst the men under him, helping them to face the hardships and privations which came their way with a better and more willing heart. Many wish to be associated with this message of condolence - his friends in the platoon, his old Warwick colleagues and the Leamington and Warwick comrades whom he instructed on the Victoria Park in September. All are concious that they have lost a true friend, and the Battalion an efficient and trustworthy N.C.O. I enclose his hat badge which doubtless you will treasure as a keepsake of your brother who died doing his duty."