Name
George Cundall
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
06/05/1917
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
40106
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BISHOP'S STORTFORD OLD CEMETERY
B. 12. 15.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Bishop's Stortford Town Memorial,
United Reformed Church Memorial, Bishop's Stortford,
Family Headstone Bishop's Stortford Old Cemetery
Pre War
George Cundall was born in 1891 in Bishop's Stortford to George and Harriet Cundall and was baptised into the Congregational Church in Water Lane, Bishop's Stortford in May 1891.
In the 1901 Census, George, aged 10 years and a scholar, was living with his parents, George and Harriet Cundall, and siblings in Rye Street, Bishop’s Stortford. In the 1911 Census he was living with his family at 52 Rye Street, Bishop's Stortford and working as a Carman (Coal Merchants).
George was well known and highly respected and was an old Northgate End School boy. Prior to enlisting he was employed in his father’s coal merchant’s business.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Bedford and initially served in the Essex Regiment, then transferring to the Bedfordshire Regiment.
Under the heading “Heavy Stortford Casualties” on May 12th 1917 It was reported in the local paper that Private George Cundall had died of wounds received in France. He was wounded in the wrist and while making his way to the dressing station he received more shrapnel wounds. The first report on his condition came from the matron of a hospital in France, from where he was brought home to a hospital in Guildford. At first, he appeared to be making good progress but his parents received a telegram to say his condition had deteriorated and he died of septic poisoning in the thigh before they were able to visit him.
His body was brought home for burial in the town cemetery.
Additional Information
His mother Harriet received pay owing of £4 11s 10d and war gratuity of £4 10s.
George Cundall senior was a prominent member of the Congregational Church in Water Lane. It is highly likely that the Rev. T. H. Hughes conducted the funeral service.
George's headstone (not CWGC) reads:
"In Loving Memory of
GEORGE ELDEST SON OF
GEORGE AND HARRIET CUNDALL, WHO DIED OF WOUNDS (RECEIVBED IN FRANCE) AT CLANDON PARK HOSPITAL, GUILDFORD ON MAY 6TH, 1917. AGED 27 YEARS
'GREATER LOVE HATH NO MANTHAT THIS. THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS'
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jenny Clough
