L/13099. Driver George William Black

162nd. Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. Born 1895 in Deptford. Enlisted in Camberwell. Died of Wounds on Thursday 25th. April 1918, aged 23. Buried in Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Plot III, Row E, Grave 54. Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Black of 26 Pender Street, Deptford, London, S.E.8.

George’s brother, Henry, also perished during The Great War:

M/2575. Leading Cooks’ Mate, Henry Joseph Black

H.M.S. “Simoom”, Royal Navy. Killed in Action on the night of Tuesday 23rd./Wednesday 24th. January 1917, aged 24. “R” Class Destroyer, H.M.S. “Simoom”, of the Harwich Force, Schouwen Patrol, was Torpedoed by the German Destroyer S.50 of the 6th. Flotilla, causing the magazine to explode. Some 50 survivors were taken on board by H.M.S. “Morris”, and after failed salvage attempts by both H.M.S. “Nimrod” and H.M.S. “Matchless”, an order was received at 7.55 a.m. by Commander Thywitt to:

 “sink Simoom with despatch”

One of George’s Comrades from the 162nd. Brigade who also Died of Wounds on this day is buried in the Cemetery with him:

720633. Driver Willie Wood, Died of Wounds (Gas), aged 21, buried in Plot V, Row B, Grave 18

George’s Medal Roll Index Card notes:

Campaign:- 1914-15.

Action taken  Dead

THEATRE OF WAR.  (1) France

QUALIFYING DATE:  11.12.15.

George was entitled to The Victory Medal, British War Medal and 1915 Star

George’s father paid 4s. 11d. for the following personal inscription to be carved on his Headstone:

“EVER IN OUR THOUGHTS”

Barry Jenkins