Name
George Edward Baldwin
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/03/1918
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
738040
24th (County of London) Bn. (The Queen’s)
24th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
METZ-EN-COUTURE COMMUNAL CEMETERY BRITISH EXTENSION
111.F.17
France
UK & Other Memorials
Rickmansworth Urban District Memorial
St. Mary’s Church Memorial, Rickmansworth
Oddfellows Memorial, Rickmansworth
Watford Post Office Memorial
St. Michael & All Angels Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
George Edward was born in Rickmansworth on the 27th of May 1890 and baptised on the 14th of September that year. His parents were Edwin and Isabella Alice(nee Sharp) Baldwin. His father was a Labourer and in both 1901 and 1911 he, Isabella and a large family were living at 110 Norfolk Road, Rickmansworth. George at age 20 was a Postman.
On the 28th of August 1915 George Edward, described as a Soldier, married Mary Ann Child at St Peter’s Church, Mill End. George was living at 28 Holywell Road, Watford and Mary at 21 Church Lane, Mill End. Their daughter, Mary, was born in 1918 after George’s death. Mary Ann did not remarry and in 1939 was living 36 Springwell Avenue with Alfred H Child age 62, Widower, Builder’s Labourer (her brother) Sarah M Child age 82 (their mother) recorded as “incapacitated”, and Gertrude E Anger age 37 a Needleworker.
Recorded as enlisting in London.
Wartime Service
Formerly Rifleman 3871 1st/8th London Regiment On the 21st of March 1918 the Germans launched their Spring offensive on a wide front. The objective was to break through the allied lines and then drive north west toto seize the channel ports. Fighting was fierce and both sides took heavy casualties, but by late April the danger of a German breakthrough had passed.
George probably died in the early stages of the battle in the La Vacquerie sector. George's brother Edwin died of wounds on the 23rd of April 1917. A second brother, John Edwin, served in France in 1916/17 but survived. A cousin, also John Edwin, was killed in action early in the war on the 24th of October 1914.
Acknowledgments
Tanya Britton, Mike Collins
