George was an agricultural labourer and lived at Ramblers Crawley End with his parents, older brother Ralph and younger sister Ivy.
He served with the Essex Regiment and was killed in action on 23rd October 1916 aged 21 during the battles of the Somme. His body was never found. He is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial. The Chrishall Church Magazine noted in December of 1916 that a memorial service had been held for him at the Chapel and he was the first Chrishall soldier officially reported as killed.
A few years previously George had painted a picture of the Chapel and was obviously a talented artist. You can see a copy of George’s painting here.
Above is a picture of George’s ‘death penny’ and his medal.
Chrishall at War
The story of Chrishall through World War I told using local sources such as the church newsletters. Details of those who served and returned and those who were lost to the village.
Download a copy here. (PDF document: 8MB)
Leave a Reply