Name
George Waller
1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/03/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sapper
524340
Royal Engineers
126th Field Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HEUDICOURT COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
F. 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary’s Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
George was born in 1885 in Hitchin and christened on 19 Aug 1885 in St Mary’s Church, Hitchin. His parents were Arthur and Emma Waller.
In 1891 the family were living at 13 Queen Street, Hitchin – an address they remained at in the following records. Present were both parents: Arthur (29), and Emma (27), with Arthur working as a confectioner sugar boiler. Their children were: George (5), Sarah (3) and Florence (1).
In 1901, Arthur’s trade was described as a confectioner sweet worker. Of their Sarah was absent, George was 15 and working as a distillery labourer, Florence was listed as Florrie and they had been joined by Harry (7), Bertie (4) and Rose (2).
By 1911 the family were still living at 13 Queen Street, Hitchin, Herts. Present were both parents, Arthur’s work now described as a confectioner at a sweet manufacturer. The census recorded they had been married for 28 years with 9 children, of whom 2 had died. All the children now present were George, now working as a carpenter for a builder, plus Harry, Bertram and Rose. A new daughter was Nellie (9).
Before joining up he was employed by Francis Newton the builders in Hitchin. He was a keen footballer playing as a right half for the Union Jack Football Club and was a member of the Working Men's' Conservative Club.
George enlisted on 1 June 1915 and was a joiner and embodied into the Royal Engineers as Sapper (T)2487. His service record confirms his brothers as Harry and Bertram and his sisters as Sarah (Hare), Florence (Hunt), Rose and Nellie.
Officially he was recorded as born in Hitchin and was living there when he enlisted in Luton, Beds.
George has an entry in the National Roll of the Great War, but it adds nothing to what else is written here.
Wartime Service
He was on ‘Home’ Service from 1 June 1915 to 18 September 1917 and was tested for proficiency in June 1915. Mr G Hayman of 119 Nightingale Road, Hitchin and found to be a very good joiner.
He was awarded a two-year good conduct stripe on 1 June 1917 at that time he was at the Carburton Camp, Worksop. On 28 August he was transferred to 408th Highland Reserve Field Company and embarked for France on 19 September 1917. Landing there the following day and was then posted to 1/9th Gordon Highlanders (Pioneers) as Sapper 235530, joining them on October 4th.
Transferred to the Royal Engineers Base Depot, as ‘Sapper Joiner Superior’ 524340 on 14 November 1917 and was then joined the 126th Field Company, Royal Engineers on 27 November 1917.
He died of wounds received in action on 9 March 1918 in the 65th Field Ambulance in France and was buried in Grave F11 in the Heudicourt Communal Cemetery Extension in France.
Additional Information
After his death £22 18s 3d pay owing was authorised to go to his father, Arthur, on 16 May 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £13 was authorised to be paid to him on 13 November 1919.
His pension cards record Emma Waller as his mother and as his dependant, living at 13 Queen Street, Hitchin. She was awarded a pension of 8s a week from 24 September 1918.
His medals were sent to his father, at 13 Queen Street, Hitchin, on 6 February 1922
He had a brother also serving in France – believed to be Bertram.
