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WORLD WAR ONE

The Men Who Died

WORLD WAR ONE

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In 1888 George age 18 enlisted at Brecon joining the South Wales Borderers. In total George served over 25 years, extending his initial contract a number of times. He spent almost three years in Gibraltar and five years in India. He rose from private, through corporal to sergeant with the Borderers and in 1908 transferred to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, again progressing to colour sergeant and acting sergeant major.

He was discharged in March 1914 but reenlisted on the outbreak of war, rejoining the Borderers.

In March 1904 George had married Elizabeth Norah Llewellyn in London. Elizabeth, George’s wife, was born in Brecon in 1884. She was the daughter of Sergeant Llewellyn of the 1st South Wales Borderers and had resided at Newmarch Street in the town.

By 1911 George and Elizabeth were living in 34, Idris Villas, Towyn. George is still a soldier and they have three children, George, aged 5 born in Eltham Kent and Irene aged 3 and Cyril aged 2, both born in Towyn.

George was a fine football player in his day, and was captain of the 1st Battn. South Wales Borderers' team that won the Murraj Cup against all the troops in India, and at one time played for Brecon.

George died on a hospital ship of wounds received on active service, on 12th August 1915. Although wounded at Gallipoli, he was taken by hospital ship to Egypt, where he was burried. Elizabeth was living in

Peckham, London at the time of George’s death.

The 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers was formed in August 1914 and embarked at Avonmouth in June 1915 and landing in Gallipoli on 15th July that year. The whole of the 4th Battalion was evacuated from Gallipoli in January 1916 due to severe casualties from combat, disease and harsh weather. The battalion moved to Mudros in January 1916 and subsequently to Egypt and Mesopotamia.