Name
George King
11 Jun 1884
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
10/11/1916
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
17912
Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
25th Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 5 C and 12 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
St Stephen Parish Memorial Obelisk, Park Street, Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Frogmore
Pre War
George was born in Frogmore on 11 Jun 1884 (baptised 5 Oct 1884) to Benjamin King, a general labourer, and Elizabeth (nee Hartley). On the 1891 Census His parents were living at Park Lane Frogmore, with Annie (born 1882), George, Alfred (born 1887) and William (born 1890).
On the 1901 Census still living at Park lane, Frogmore the family consisted of parents, George (a shepherd), Alfred (a carter on farm), William, Elizabeth (born 1893), Arthur (born1895), Edward,( born 1897) and Benjamin (born 1901).
On the 1911 Census his parents were living at 25 Park Lane, with William & Arthur (both farm labourers), Edward and Benjamin (both at School).
Wartime Service
No Service Record was found for George. George volunteered in 1914 as Private 1529 in the Rifle Brigade. He was posted to 2nd Battalion and joined them on the formation of 8 Division in Oct 1914. George went of France on 7 Nov 1914. In 1915 the Division took part in the Battles of Neuve Chapelle (10 – 13 May 1915) and Aubers (9 May 1915) and the action at Bois Grenier (25 Sep 1915), a diversionary action during the Battle of Loos. In early 1916 Machine Gun Companies were formed in Divisions and No 25 Machine Gun Company was formed in 8 Division and George probably Joined the Unit at this time, he was promoted to Serjeant, so may have already been a Machine Gunner. The Division were in action at the Battle of Albert (1 -13 Jul 1916). George was killed in action on 10 Nov 1916, his remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £16 and arrears of £34 12s 10d was paid to his father. Brother Edward served as Private G/13328 Queens (Royal West Surrey) Regiment and was killed in action 10 Nov 1916, Brother Alfred volunteered for Royal Army Medical Corps as Private 50496 but was discharged as medically unfit for service.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
