First World War stories from the Wakefield District

George was born in February 1890 at Brotherton. His father was a coal miner and George also became a coal miner. He married in 1911 and had three sons. When he volunteered for the army in March 1915 he was working at Fryston Colliery. At first he was in the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, but he later transferred to the Royal Fusiliers. He was promoted to Corporal.

He was sent to France, but like other soldiers he came home on leave. The last time George saw his wife and children was Christmas 1917. He wrote home to his wife two days before he was killed. He sent her his pay and a German watch. He was killed by a shell on 25  August 1918.

One of his comrades, Sergeant J Fawous, wrote to George’s wife saying he was among his best pals. He had feared nothing and had always cheered his men up, singing and joking wherever he was. Every man in his platoon missed him.

George was awarded three medals: the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He is commemorated on the Brotherton War Memorial.

His wife Ethel found life very hard bringing up three young boys on her own after George’s death.