Name
George Draper
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/07/1916
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
4/6668
Bedfordshire Regiment
“A” Company. 2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier/Face 2C
France
UK & Other Memorials
Stevenage Old Town Memorial
St Nicholas' Church Memorial, Stevenage Old Town
Holy Trinity Church Memorial Roll of Honour, Stevenage Old Town
Pre War
George was born on the 19th March 1896, the son of William & Rebecca Draper of 35 Haycroft Road, Stevenage. He joined the 1st Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment and was posted to France on the 8th November 1914. He was later transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the Regiment.
Wartime Service
He served continuously on the Western Front and was to be killed during the Battle of the Somme. The Battalion were part of the 30th Division and on the 30th July 1916 were ordered to make an attack due East and capture the German second line of defence between Falfemont Farm and Guillemont. The task was a big one where, in one place, the 89th Brigade had to advance for a distance of over a mile of big rolling countryside. Prior to the general advance a subsidiary attack was planned on Maltzhorn Farm. At 22.00 pm on the 29th July the battalion moved up to its assembly positions South of Bernafoy and Trones Wood. The Germans shelled the battalion with Tear Gas and a new sort of Gas that caused violent stomach pains and headaches amongst the men. "A" Company attacked Maltzhorn Farm with a battalion of French troops and although they did not hold the Farm the attack was deemed a success. About 70 to 80 German troops were taken by surprise in a trench running North to South through the Farm and were, with one exception, all killed. "A" Company returned to the battalion having suffered about 30 casualties of which George Draper was one. Another Stevenage man, Alfred Forder, was to lose his life in the same assault later in the day. George has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. His older brother, Alfred, was killed two years later whilst fighting in the same sector of the Somme.
Additional Information
www.stevenageatwar.com
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson
