George, you are the brother of one of my mother's best friends, Alice. You served in the Nuneaton Fortress Company, in which my uncle Tom also served. I know you were in training to be an architect when you enlisted to serve, which was my own profession too. We have a copy of one of your architectural history books which bears your signature. When I was writing my book on WW1 I was so sad to read the reports in the Nuneaton newspapers of February 1916 of the disaster which occurred on the 6th. A stray enemy shell landed on your billet at Mazingarbe, killing seven, including you, and wounding nineteen others. My uncle, fortunately, was not hurt. It is so sad that you were deprived of most of your adult life when you died at the age of only 21. Your Commanding Officer, Captain FC Cook wrote to your parents, saying that you were asleep when it happened, but that you, earlier in the day, it being a Sunday, had attended a church service, at which the hymn "The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended", was sung. Be assured George, I have the greatest admiration for you as a brave soldier doing your duty. Rest in Peace. Harry.

Henry Harrison