Name
George South
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
02/09/1916
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
8395
East Surrey Regiment
9th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 6 B and 6 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
All Saints Church Roll of Honour, Sandon,
All Saints Church Clock, Sandon
Pre War
Third son of William and Mary South of Mill End, Sandon.
His service record confirms that he was born in Sandon, near Royston and that he enlisted in Hitchin on 9th September 1914 into the Bedfordshire Regiment,. He had already had training with the militia was 27 years old, just over 5' 10" tall and 169 pounds with grey eyes, fair complexion and brown hair.
Wartime Service
George was transferred to the 11th East Surrey on 31st October 1915 and then to the 9th Battalion part of the 24th. Division. 72nd. Brigade.5th October 1915 and was sent out to France on the same date.
On September 1st. the battalion moved up to a front line position on the Eastern end of Delville Wood in preparation for an attack on the Ale Alley and Beer Trench. This was part of the Battle of Delville Wood (Somme) from Saturday September 2nd. was very warm (73. F) and windy.
George was killed by a shell and in a letter to his parents his commanding officer described him as a noble and brave soldier who was always willing and cheerful, no matter what happened.
As his body was never found he is commemorated on the huge Thiepval Memorial to the missing (Pier and face 6B & 6C) alongside 74,000 others. His name is also recorded on his parents' headstone in Sandon churchyard.
Additional Information
After his death his medals etc. were sent to his mother at Mill End, Sandon.
George is also commemorated on his family’s grave in Standon (St. Mary) Churchyard. His part of the inscription reads:
ALSO OF GEORGE SON OF THE ABOVE (William & Mary Ann South)
KILLED IN ACTION SEPT. 2ND 1916 AGED 28 YEARS.
“AT REST”
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Jean Handley
