Name
George Rice
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/09/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
52268
Gloucestershire Regiment
18th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BISHOP'S HATFIELD (ST. LUKE) CHURCHYARD
2. I. 14.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, Not on the Bishops Hatfield memorials
Pre War
The 1871 Census reveals a George Rice, age 3, living in Union Lane, Hatfield, he is (apparently) the adopted son of George and Caroline Holland. George Holland is an engine cleaner. The Holland’s have a son of their own called George aged 1. There is also a Matthew Rice, 43, widower, working as a railway labourer living in Newtown, Hatfield with 2 daughters and 1 son also named Matthew.
1881 Census: A, George Rice, age 12, a scholar, is living with his father Matthew, 53, a widower, in Newtown Cottages Hatfield. Matthew, born in Louth Ireland was working as a railway labourer. (This may be the same George as in the 1871 census). Looking for George and Caroline Holland in this census we find them in Clerkenwell. London, there is no George Rice living with them.
George Rice, according to army records, had been educated the Royal Army Asylum School obtaining a certificate of education 2nd class. He enlisted on 1/6/1886 into the Bedfordshire Regiment at the age of 18 (limited engagements). He was posted a private to the 2nd Bed. Regt. 19/11/1889, appointed drummer 25/4/1890. He extended his army service to complete 12 years with the colours on 28/4/1890. Promoted corporal 3/4/1893 but reduced to the ranks 12/06/1893, transferred to army reserve 30/6/1893 and discharged 31/05/1898.
1911 Census: George Rice, age 40, is living with his wife Eliza and family of 8 children at 8, Primrose cottages, Hatfield. George is working as a garden labourer. His Father Matthew Rice, aged 83, is now a patient in the Workhouse in Union Lane, Hatfield.
Wartime Service
George re-enlisted 31/08/1914 apparent age 43yrs and immediately posted as Sergeant. George was 5ft. 3.5 inches tall, with fresh complexion, pale grey eyes and grey hair. He had been working as a brick layer and living at 8 Primrose Cottages, Hatfield, with his wife Eliza and large family of 8 children.
He was posted several times finally to the Gloucestershire Regt. 28/06/1918. He had been at home 31/8/14-28/8/1915, with the British Expeditionary Force 29/12/15-26/05/1916, and ? 27/5/1916 – 23/8/1918.
He took part in several battles on the Western Front and did valuable work with his unit and was badly gassed in August 1918. He became medically unfit for war service with heart problems and was discharged on 28/08/1918.
Invalided home he died in the V.A.D. Hospital, Hatfield from the effects of gas poisoning in the following month. (Being invalided out because of gas poisoning differs from George’s army pension’s records)
According to the medical report of invalid, George was 50yrs. His military character was very good, steady, reliable, hardworking, sober and trustworthy.
Rice, George Sergeant, Bedfordshire Regiment – volunteering in August 1914, he served with his unit at various stations until drafted overseas in December 1915.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of October 1914, in the second list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded “Rice, George, Sergt. – Primrose Cottages – 1st Bedfordshire”.
He was entitled to the 1914-15 star, General and victory Medals.
Additional Information
George had a CWGC headstone sited on a family grave.
The Death of Pensioner Notice shows that a sum of 22/- was awarded for the period 24/8/1918 – 03/09/1918.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Rice (Widow) of 8, Primrose Cottages, Hatfield received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
