George joined up as a volunteer on 10th December 1915. He corresponded with his family throughout the War. In the letters, for example, he mentioned his astonishment at seeing so few civilians but he also told he hoped to meet some French girls. During the Battle of Arras, the men of his unit were deployed on the construction of the rail lines needed to transport supplies. There were six or seven people working at the rear of the front to support the action of a single front line combatant. This figure demonstrates the vital role played by supply operations in times of war. George was killed a few days after the end of the battle whilst out in the field repairing trenches he was shot by a sniper and is buried in the British Military Cemetery at Vaulx-Vraucourt.

Andrew Connelly