Name
George Walter Tansley
1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/03/1917
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
21063
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HITCHIN CEMETERY
South East Extension Grave 741
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin, British Schools Museum Memorial, Hitchin
Pre War
George Walter (junior) was born in 1885 in Hitchin and his parents were George William and Emma Tansley (née Berry) who married on 10 January 1885.
In 1891 the family were living at 11 Corries Yard, Hitchin. Present were both parents: George (29) and Emma (32), with George (snior) working as a gardener. Their children were listed as George Walter (5) and Lily (1).
By 1901 the family were living at 6 Park Street, Hitchin. Present were both parents, George (senior) now working as a carman. Their children were as above and George (junior) was 15 and working as an errand boy. A boarder, Alfred Bowler (50) was present.
in 1911 the family were still living at 6 Park Street, Hitchin. Both parents were still present and George (senior) was working as a hawker of oil etc.. The census recorded they had been married for 26 years with 2 children, both living. Both children were still living at home, with George (junior) working for himself as s confectioner (sweets).
George Walter Tansley married Annie Margaret Ginger (b 25/9/1890) in 1912. They had two children Irene Margaret, born in 1914 and Betty Jean born in 1916.
Officially recorded as born, living and enlisting in Hitchin.
Wartime Service
George was given the Regimental Number G/21063 in the 3rd Battalion of the Regiment. He died in hospital in Dover, Kent of pneumonia caught in active service. He was returned to Hitchin and buried in Hitchin Cemetery in Grave 741, South East Extension in a family grave.
Additional Information
George's headstone (not CWGC) reads:
IN LOVING MEMORY FADING MEMORY OFF MY DEVOTED HUSBAND GEORGE WALTER TANSLEY
WHO DIED AT DOVER MARCH 15TH 1917, AGED 31 YEARS.
WHO DIED AT DOVER MARCH 15TH 1917, AGED 31 YEARS.
IF THOU SHOULD’ST CALL ME TO RESIGN
WHAT MOST I PRIZE IT NE’ER WAS MINE
I ONLY YIELD THE WHAT IS THINE
WHAT MOST I PRIZE IT NE’ER WAS MINE
I ONLY YIELD THE WHAT IS THINE
After his death £2 2s 7d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow on 28 June 1917.
His pension cards record Annie Margaret as his widow and next of kin, living at 12 Cannon’s Cottages, Hitchin. It also recorded their children as Irene Margaret (b 6/7/1914) and Betty Jean (b 19/10/1916). She was awarded grant on 7 August 1917 and a pension for her and their children of 22s 11d a week from 17 September 1917.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
