George was born on 23rd July 1888 in Limehouse, London to parents Thomas and Rosina, their first child. He was aged two on the 1891 census - the three of them resided at “The Cottages”, Triggs Place, Limehouse, with his father working as a labourer to support them. Ten years later, on the 1901 census, the family had grown and George had four more siblings. They had moved to Poplar, another parish of London, living at 54 Park Street. George was then aged 12 and probably attended school.
He married Lily Flora Lee on 13th July 1912 in the parish church in Wooburn, Buckinghamshire, aged 23.
George joined the Royal Navy for the duration of hostilities on 5th October 1916, recorded as being 5’2” tall, with black hair, blue eyes, a medium complexion and having a scar on the left side of his neck. He trained at HMS PEMBROKE II as a Stoker 2nd class until 13th January 1917 before joining his only vessel, HMS VANGUARD on 14th January 1917, until her explosion.
He was awarded the Victory and British war medals following his death that were issued to his widow Lily. He is remembered in perpetuity on the Chatham Naval Memorial. His pension was awarded to his wife to help assist in the upbringing of their two children Venie and William.
#316 - 721/843
Sources:
1891 & 1901 England Census
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Piece: 941
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: 010 (1914 - 1919)
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 176/0891/Sto-Sto
CWGC Register
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 116
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/10; Scan Number: 0563
Photo courtesy of Graham Osborn
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