Born on the 21st May 1891 George was the son of William, a boot and shoemaker who worked for himself, and Hannah Gardner of Watery Lane, Shipston-on-Stour. George was enrolled into Shipston Infants on the 20th May 1894 when the family home is listed as being in Watery Lane, Shipston. On the 22nd March 1900 George was baptised in St Edmunds and his name is recorded as Leonard George. This name is repeated in the 1901 census although all other sources show him as George. Moving up to the Boys School from the Infants on 4th July 1898, the family address is again confirmed as Watery Lane. George left the Senior school on the 30th September 1904 and whilst his immediate employment is unknown, it is known that he eventually worked at Messers W. E. Mayo & Co Sawmills. The 1901 census shows that Mr William E Mayo lived in Watery Lane, next door but one to the Gardner’s who had been living there since at least 1881, possibly earlier. In early September 1914 George enlisted in the 10th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He enlisted in Birmingham and, with Service Numbers so close together, it is probable that Arthur Harvey, Edward Sturch and George enlisted on the same day. The 10th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment were part of the 19th Division. Training was undertaken at Tidworth and the Division moved to France over the period 11th to 21st July 1915. As George moved to France on the 18th July he can be accurately noted as being in either ‘A’ or ‘B’ Company who crossed the Channel in the SS Invicta. They left Folkestone at 9:05pm and arrived in Boulogne 10:40pm on the same day. At some time between landing and February 1916 George transferred to ‘D’ Company and on the 27th February 1916 they were in the front line trenches at Chapigny near the French/Belgian border. The Battalion War Diary reports that at 2pm they started a…combined Trench Mortar and Artillery Operation designed to cut the German wire, to bombard enemy front and second line trenches and to fire High Explosive shells on buildings and works in German second line and rear. Owing to unsatisfactory telephone communication, the operation was only partially carried out. The enemy retaliated with a few whiz bangs and 4.9” HE which mostly fell a short distance behind our front line and did no damage The following day the war diary reports: Yesterdays combined operation of artillery and trench mortars was resumed, fire being opened at 2pm. The operation appeared to be successful. The enemy parapet and more were demolished. The trench mortars landed their bombs well in the enemy trenches. The retaliation of the enemy was fairly heavy GRANTS POST and WINCHESTER ST, which received the bulk of it, while a few shells fell near WINCHESTER POST and Btn Hd Qtrs. One shell in GRANT’S POST caused us 4 casualties. Apart from this no damage was done. Weather fine till the evening, when there were some showers. Casualties No 3647 Pte Davies, F J ‘D’ Company 8044 “ Moore, H “ 5726 “ Evans, G “ 7300 “ Gardner, G “ From this it is clear that George was one of the men killed by the shell at Grant’s Post. What is also clear is that he was not the only Shipston man to die in this incident, 5726 Private G Evans lived at Tunnel Cottage, between Stretton on Fosse and Shipston. On the 11th March the Evesham Journal reported : On Sunday morning last Mr. W. Gardner, Station-road, Shipston-on-Stour received two letters intimating that his son, Private George Gardner, had been killed on Feb. 28. The letter from the 2nd-Lieutenant of the ‘B’ Platoon states: - “It is with great regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son, which occurred yesterday. My platoon was holding a post which was heavily shelled. One shell exploded close to your son killing him instantly and wounding three others seriously. We shall miss him greatly as he was a splendid worker, and always cheerful under the most trying circumstances. He was popular with his comrades and all the officers of his Company. – With deepest regrets, yours truly E. H. Rogers. 2nd Lieut.” The other letter was from his pal, Lance-Corpl Begley, with whom he joined. “I am writing these few lines with my deepest sympathy to announce the sad death which befell your son yesterday (Feb 28) whilst fighting for his King and country. We had only been in the trenches two days after our rest when a shell burst, killing George and wounding three others very badly. He died a hero’s death, and I can assure you died without any agony. Much sympathy is felt for you by all the lads of the Company, by whom he was very much respected. Words cannot explain how much I have felt this terrible blow, for he was one of the best pals anyone could wish to have, never grumbling or standing back at anything he was asked to do.” The deceased joined the Army in September 1914, and belonged to the “D” Company 10th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He went to France last July and has been home once since he went. He was a member of the Friends’ Adult School and of the Excelsior football team, and was a well-behaved and civil young fellow, respected by all. He was twenty-four years of age last May. Since he started going to work as a boy he had been employed at Messers Mayo’s sawmills. This makes the fifth that has been killed that at sometime before the war worked at Messers Mayo’s. The Stratford Herald of the 17th March 1916 also reported the contents of 2nd Lieutenant Rogers’ letter, noting that George was “a smart young fellow and his death is much regretted.” George was buried in Rue-Du-Bacquerot No.1 Military Cemetery, Laventie and he is remembered on the Town and both School Memorials. He was also remembered on a chair in the church but its whereabouts are currently unknown. After George was killed William Loveridge, who had also fought with the Royal Warwickshires, visited the family to pass on his condolences, and following this visit struck up a relationship with George’s sister Gwen, which eventually led to them being married in the summer of 1924.
Mike Wells