Name
George Henry Dyke
31 January 1879
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/09/1917
39
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
R/6095
King's Royal Rifle Corps
18th Bn
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 115 to 119 and 162A and 163A.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hemel Hempstead memorials
Pre War
George Henry Dyke was born on 31 January 1879 in Hammersmith, Middx, the son and eldest child of Henry and Caroline Dyke, and baptised on 23 February 1879 at St James, Norlands, Notting Hill, Kensington, Middx, at which time the family were living at 7 Hunt Street and his father was working as a labourer.
On the 1881 Census the family were living at 4A Hunt Street, Hammersmith, when his father was working as a coal porter. George attended St Clement's Road School from 18 January 1887 until 23 February 1891. They had moved to 25 Hunt Street by 1891 but his father died in 1894 and on the 1901 Census they were living at 45 Hunt Street where his widowed mother was taking in laundry, helped by her 20 year old daughter Annie. George was working as a Bricklayer's labourer and his younger brother James was a shop boy.
George married Rhoda Rixon on 19 March 1910 at St James, Norlands, Kensington, at which time he was said to be living at 21 Latimer Road and working as a labourer. They were living in 2 rooms at 26 Hunt Street, Notting Hill, Hammersmith on the 1911 Census and George was a general labourer. They had a son George Daniel and his wife Rhoda was also working as a laundry ironer. They had a further four children (see below).
His widow and family later lived at 50 Cattell Road and 24 Cross Street, Hemel Hempstead, Herts.
(N.B. Service records clearly show four children listed: George Daniel (25.8.1910), Charles Edward (5.3.1912), Frederick Stephen (14.8.1914) and Charles Edward (7.10.15). Civil Registration Index confirms the dates and names with mother's maiden name and also shows another child John H who was born in 1913 and died in 1915. However, pension records show that only three children were alive at their father's death: George Daniel, Frederick Stephen and the Charles Edward born in 1912. It is assumed that the Charles Edward born in 1915 died, but this is not confirmed at present).
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Shepherds Bush on 27 October 1914 and served as a Rifleman, initially with the 11th Service Battalion, the Kings Royal Rifles, later transferring to the 18th Battalion, arriving in France on 21 July 1915. He would have taken part in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
He became ill with pleurisy and bronchitis and was sent to the Northern General Hospital from 25 January to 26 February 1917, transferring to Clayton Hospital from 26 February to 14 March 1917. He was again hospitalised with bronchitis from 7 April to 2 July 1917 and spent 84 days in hospital.
George was sent back to the front on 11 August 1917, having been placed in Category A3 on 23 June 1917, which meant that he was ready except for his physical condition.
He was killed in action on 18 September 1917 but has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Additional Information
His widow received a pension of £1 6s 3d for herself and her three children from 8 April 1918. She also received a war gratuity of £13 10s and pay owing of £3 12s 6d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
