Name
A George Rogers
Circa 1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/09/1916
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/31280
Royal Fusiliers *1
34th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
AVELUY COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
Row G, Grave 43
France
Headstone Inscription
Cut down like a flower in a lovely bloom. An early tenant of the tomb
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin, St Faith's Church War Memorial, Walsworth
Pre War
Arthur George or possibly just George was born around 1895 in Chrishall, Essex. His parents were James and Mary Ann Rogers.
In 1901 the family were living at Noon Folly Farm Cottage, Chrishall, Essex. Present were both parents: James (39) and Mary Ann (41), with James and working as a horsekeeper on a farm. Their children were: Minnie (13), William James (11), George (Arthur George, 5) and Ronald (Fred Ronald, 1).
By 1911 the family were living at Noons Folly Farm, although now recorded as Melbourn, Cambs. Present were both parents, James now working as a farm labourer. The census recorded they had been married for 28 years with 10 children, of whom 3 had died. Of the children William James, Arthur George and Fred Ronald were all recorded. Arthur George, now
After his death 24, St. Michael's Mount, Hitchin was given as his parents’ address, but as Arthur George was recorded as living in Hitchin when he enlisted they must have moved to Hitchin or Walsworth after 1911.
Officially he was recorded as living in Hitchin when he enlisted in there.
Wartime Service
This is the same person as described on the St. Faith's Church War Memorial as ‘C. Rogers’- He lived in Walsworth but he enlisted in Hitchin and was given the Regimental Number G/31280 and posted to the 34th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. This Battalion was a Labour Battalion. He was killed in action in France.
The involvement of the 34th Battalion during this period has not been found. It went to France in June 1916. Unfortunately, there is no trace of a Battalion War Diary at the Public Record Office at Kew in W.0 .95. Eventually it became 100 and 101 Labour Companies.
He was buried in Row G, Grave 43 in the Aveluy Communal Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
After his death £6 16s 10d pay owing was authorised to go to his father, James, on 28 December 1916. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to him on 22 September 1919.
His pension cards record his mother, Mary Ann Rogers, as his next of kin, living at 5 Walsworth Villas, Walsworth, Hitchin and then later amended to 24 St Michaels Mount, Hitchin. She was awarded a pension of 2s a week from 7 August 1917, raised to 5s a week 6 November 1918 and then possibly by another 1s 6d on 13 March 1919.
After Mary Ann’s death the details were changed to his father, James, at 24 St Michaels Mount, Hitchin.
A private inscription on the headstone reads "Cut down like a flower in a lovely bloom. An early tenant of the tomb".
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London) Bn London Regiment – some sources suggest it was a Labour Battalion.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
