Name
George Thackham
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/05/1915
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4/6640
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GUARDS CEMETERY, WINDY CORNER, CUINCHY
IV.G.23
France
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Croxley Green memorials
Pre War
George was born in Croxley Green in 1892 (birth registered in Watford district in fourth quarter of the year) and baptised at St Mary’s Watford on 19 November 1897.
In 1901 he lived with his parents, David and Ellen Thackham, and five siblings at 89 Fearnley Street Watford. David Thackham worked as a labourer in a paper mill. David was born in Rickmansworth and Ellen in Batchworth Heath. Three of their children were born in Croxley between about 1889 and 1892. In 1911 George lived as a boarder with the Tingey family at 1 Station Rd., Radlett. He was 19 and worked as a builder’s labourer. His residence is listed as Northwood in Soldiers Died in the Great War.
Recorded as enlisting in Watford.
Wartime Service
Private George Thackham’s battalion formed part of the 21st Brigade and 7th Division.
The Brigade arrived in Belgium in October 1914 and was involved in the battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915.
On the evening of 11 May 1915 the 2nd Bedfordshires relieved the 21st London Regiment in the front line trenches near Le Touret. There was no report of particular hostilities, indeed, the next day, the Brigade war diary reported the situation was all quiet.
After his death the army paid £12 19s 4d to his sister Rose Ellen as sole legatee, including a war gratuity of £3.
Acknowledgments
Brian Thomson
