Name
George Gunn
10 Jan 1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/02/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/18702
Royal Sussex Regiment
11th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GOUZEAUCOURT NEW BRITISH CEMETERY
II. E. 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring
Pre War
George Gunn was born on 10 Jan 1899 in Tring (baptised 6 Apr 1899 in Tring) to Benjamin Gunn, stationary engine driver, and Sarah Ann (nee Smith).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Arthur Smith (born 1895, prior to marriage of parents), Minnie (born 1898), and George were living in New Town, Tring.
On the 1911 the family of parents, Arthur, Minnie and George were living at 4, New Road, Tring.
Wartime Service
George enlisted at Watford in the Royal Sussex Regiment as Private G/18702, probably soon after his 18th Birthday in Feb 1917 and after his training was posted to 11th (Service) Battalion (1st Southdown) joining them in the field about Jan 1918. No Service Record was found for George.
The 11th (Service) Battalion (1st South Downs) was part of 116th Brigade in 39th Division, and in Mar 1916 had landed at Le Havre, together with the 12th and 13th Battalions.
At the time of George’s death on the 28th Feb 1918, the Battalion does not appear to have been involved in any significant action. They were at Revlon Farm at Allaines in the Somme, in the Picardy region of Northern France.
This from the Bucks Herald, 19th March 1918: “ROLL OF HONOUR. – News has been received of the death in action of Pte. George Gunn, Royal Sussex Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Gunn, New Mill, with whom the deepest sympathy is felt in their bereavement. A letter from the Captain of his Company informs the parents at Pte. Gunn was killed in action on Feb. 28, in the front line, with a carrying party. He was hit by a shell and killed instantaneously, and was buried in a little cemetery behind the line. Over the grave a cross will be erected. The Company Commander tendered the sympathies of the officers and men to the bereaved parents. Pte. Gunn was 19 years of age, and joined the Army in February of last year on attaining 18 years of age. He proceeded overseas about the middle of last month, and was only some 10 days in France when he made the great sacrifice. Before joining up he was employed at Apsley Paper Mills, where he was held in high esteem.”
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
