Name
George William Durley
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/08/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/38741
The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BECOURT MILITARY CEMETERY, BECORDEL-BECOURT
Plot II, Row A, Grave 11.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Holy Rood Catholic Church Memorial, Watford,
Bushey Memorial, Clay Hill,
St James’ Church Memorial, Bushey
Pre War
George Durley was the youngest son of George William Durley and his wife Bridget Mary (née Ward) Durley of Bushey, Herts. George (Jnr.) was one of ten children, three of whom died during childhood.
George (Snr.) was born in Bushey Heath, but was in the army and he and his family moved around extensively. His two youngest daughters were born abroad, Rose in Egypt and Edith in India.
His parents married 29 December 1891 at St Patrick’s, Cork, Ireland. George died 9 November 1935 in Watford aged 65, and was buried 15 November at St James’, Bushey; Bridget died 13 April 1955 in Bushey aged 84, and was buried 20 April, also at St James.
George was born 11 July 1899 in Portsmouth, Hants, and baptised 30 July 1899 in Portsmouth. He resided in Bushey.
At 1901 Census, the family were probably in South Africa where George senior was stationed, but by 1911, the family had made their home at 11 Herkomer Road, Bushey. George (Snr) was 40, an army pensioner, and was now working as a carpenter with six children living at home. George (Jnr.) was the youngest son and, aged 11, was still at school.
Wartime Service
George enlisted at Watford as Private 38741 in the Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). He served in France and Flanders and was killed in action on 23 August 1918.
He is remembered with honour at Becourt Military Cemetery in France and is also commemorated on the Bushey town memorial, at St James’ Parish Church in Bushey and Holy Rood Catholic Church, Watford.
He enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals.
Additional Information
Note: There is an apparent discrepancy in the birth date for George. The 11 July 1899 date is taken from the profile on the ‘Our Watford History’ website and is consistent with George’s age when killed, but does not accord with the registration date of 1900. It is possible the date was incorrectly transcribed in the register.
There is an In Memoriam for George in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 30 August 1919.
Unfortunately, George’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Andrew Palmer
Dianne Payne - www.busheyworldwarone.org.uk, Jonty Wild, Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
