Military History

George is listed as being killed in action between the 10th & 11th August 1917. He was originally buried in Oost Dunkerque Bains Military Cemetery before his remains were reburied at Ramscappelle in July 1919. The 10th Battalion war diary entries for the period 9th to 11th August are transcribed below and they reveal that Bernard was killed when a shell hit the Officers Mess in Mitry Camp also killed the CO and Adjutant at 1.45am on the 11th.

Mitry Camp – 09 Aug 1917: 57 men of A Coy worked under 432^nd Field Coy RE & remainder of Coy re-erected screens in Nieuport Bains and repaired main roads and road by sea (Nieuport Bains). B Coy worked on repairs to Beach Avenue.

Work was the same as on 5^th/6^th inst. Weather fair but misty.

Casualties: 1 man of C Coy gassed.

Mitry Camp – 10 Aug 1917: 57 men of A Coy worked under 432^nd Field Coy RE remaining half Coy worked on roads Nieuport Bains. B Coy resting & practising construction of Strong Points. C Coy same as previous day. D Coy as on previous day except that turnaround? at R.23.d.2.3 was completed and a new one commenced at R.28.b.2.3.

Shortly after midnight the vicinity of Mitry Camp was shelled and at 1.30am (11/8/17) this became more localised and resulted in the following most unfortunate casualties – a shell struck the HQ Mess at about 1.45am killing Lt Col E.A.B Alston and Maj G.B. Stratton & severely wounding Lieut & Adjt H.L. Slingsby (who died later). 1 OR was also killed and 4 wounded.

1 OR wounded on work

Capt. H Chapman assumed command of the Battn & 2^nd Lt F.B. Crouch was appointed to act as Adjt.

Mitry Camp – 11 Aug 1917: A Coy worked on ? of roads in Nieuport Bains & erecting camouflage. Work very difficult owing to hostile shelling. ½ Coy attached to 432^nd Field Coy RE. C Coy on maintenance of C.T’s. B Coy resting & D Coy maintenance of roads on Div Front, also constructing turnaround at R.28.b.2.3.

Lt Smith assumed command of B Coy. Casualties – Nil.