LEATHERHEAD WAR MEMORIALS - WWI

Private George English
22nd Bn Royal Fusiliers

Town Memorial P2.R4.C3.

Taken, Not Given

Pte
George English
22nd Royal Fusiliers
Vimy
May 30 1916

The 22nd Royal Fusiliers were back on the line again, six days later (see previous entry in respect of Francis Ward - 23/24 May 1916).
According to their War Diary (1) they relieved the Royal Berkshires and an officer and two ORs were wounded on the 30th.
Next day, 31st, Bn. remained in CABARET ROUGE and BAJOUELLE trenches and lost two more - one was killed and three wounded.

However, both the War Memorial and the Regimental records give George English's death as having occurred on the 30th. It could have been minutes either way.

The Regimental Records (2) state that he was born in Bloomsbury and enlisted at Shepherd’s Bush, London. His membership of the 22nd Royal Fusiliers is confirmed, his regimental number being 1436, and that he was serving as a private soldier.

Notes on sources
1. File WO 95–1372 War Diary 22nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, Public Record Office, Kew.
2. Soldiers who Died in the Great War (Royal Fusiliers) - Regimental Museum, Royal Fusiliers, HM Tower of London.

Further research

Private
ENGLISH, G
Service Number 1436
Died 30/05/1916
22nd Bn.
Royal Fusiliers
Buried at ZOUAVE VALLEY CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ
Location: Pas de Calais, France
Cemetery/memorial reference: II. D. 6.

Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Saturday 10 June 1916
A DOUBLE LEATHERHEAD BEREAVEMENT.
We regret to hear that the death of Pte. F. J. Ward. Royal Fusilier, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Ward, of 8, Clinton-road, Leatherhead, has been confirmed, also that of their adopted son, Pte. G. P. English.

The following letter has been received by Mrs. Ward from Lieut. G. D. A. Black, O.C. “C" Company, R.F. :—

"I very much regret to say that Pte. George English has fallen in action. I understand from friends in his platoon that you were his adopted mother. I am afraid that this will come as very bad news to you, especially it is so soon after your son Frank had been killed in action on the 23rd inst.

English was killed by a German trench mortar which fell into communicating trench up which he was walking. He was killed on the afternoon of the 30th, and we buried him a few hours later just behind the reserve trenches.

We shall all miss English very much. He had been with us long while, and possessed those extra qualities which made him a very useful man on the machine gun. He was always cheerful, and had an ever ready smile.

Your son, Frank Ward, was not in my company, but as his company has suffered rather heavily they may not have been able to give you any details his death, owing to the number of people who have had to be informed, and owing to the fact that everybody has had a very hard time, and are still in the trenches.

I have made inquiries of 'B' Company, and learn that your son Frank died in action on the night of May 23rd, when his company very gallantly attacked and took a German trench. Owing to the extremely heavy fire I believe that they were unable to bring back his body until the following day, when he was brought back and buried by the 1st King's Royal Rifles, who relieved us, so it may be some consolation for you to know that Ward and English are buried quite close to one another, and fell together in action within a week. We can fully realise how very hard it must be to lose two so dear to you within such a short time. I know it will only be 'by the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection' that you will be comforted. Besides the chaplain, the Colonel, the Adjutant, and Captain were present at English’s burial.”

"Pte. Ward was passed medically unfit, but after having undergone two severe operations he joined with his brother, Pte. G. P. Ward [sic - English]. After having four months in hospital again, he was able to rejoin his regiment and left for France on Christmas morning. In February last he was taken with rheumatic fever and was in hospital for some weeks, so that it was not his strength but his wonderful spirit which enabled him to stand to the last.

He laid down his life willingly for his country, and in thinking both he and English we can but think of Longfellow’s words:

Lives of all great men remind us,
We can make our lives sublime,
And departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.

'For greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’”

The deepest sympathy is felt all who know Mr. and Mrs. Ward and family in this heavy bereavement.

Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser
Saturday 30 December 1916
ROLL OF HONOUR.

BRAVE SURREY MEN FALLEN IN THE WAR.
LEATHERHEAD AND DISTRICT
JUNE.
WARD, Pte. F. J., Royal Fusiliers, killed in action. May 23rd, the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Ward, 8, Clinton-road, Leatherhead.
ENGLISH, Pte. G. P., Royal Fusiliers, killed in action May 30th, adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Ward, 8, Clinton-road, Leatherhead.

His life

The Regimental Records state that he was born in Bloomsbury.
The press cuttings say his initials were GP (a confusion with his brother George Perry Ward?) but all other references seen so far give only one forename, George.

His adoptive parents were Francis William and Ellen Ward - see Frank Ward for their details.

His siblings in his adopted family were Ellen Martha b 1889, Grace Mary b 1890, Francis Joseph b 1892 and George Perry b 1894.

George English does not appear to be in the 1901 or 1911 Census records for the family. He is not 'George Perry Ward' as he can be found in Registers etc after the War and died in 1980.

If you have additional information on George English please contact the editor.

George English is remembered on these memorials
Leatherhead Town Memorial
Leatherhead RBL Roll of Honour, Leatherhead Parish Church
Ladies War Shrine, Leatherhead Parish Church
Church Lads Brigade Memorial Tryptich, All Saints Leatherhead
Surrey in the Great War

the website editor would like to add further information on this casualty
e.g. a photo of him, his headstone, and any recollections of him