George Selwyn was born in Sowerby Bridge in 1890 to Albert - a butcher - and his wife Minnie. By 1901 the family had moved to The Mount Wrenthorpe and Albert was a cattle dealer. George was the eldest of four - his brother Milton and two sisters Elsie and Emily. The 1911 census records them as living at Kirkham Farm Kirkhamgate near Wakefield with Milton and George working on the farm. George enlisted initially with the KOYLI and then transferred to the East Yorkshires. George's brother Milton died at home in June 1917 the George was killed in March 1918 so Albert and Minnie had lost both their sons within 9 months.

Janet Wilsher