Private George William John Fowler

George was born in the 2nd quarter of 1898 at Bermondsey, London. He was baptised at Christ Church, Southwark on 22 June while his family were living at the Guinness Buildings, on the Old Kent Road. By the time of the 1901 Census when George was 3 years old, the family were living at 14 Mansion House Street (renamed Connington Street). George’s father James Henry was employed as a brass finisher, and mother Alice was employed as a tobacco knife grinder. George’s siblings were James (11), Alice (9), Jessie (6) and Lily (4).

By 1911 the family had moved to 24 Blackshaw Road, Tooting. George was now 12 years of age, and James, Jessie and Lily were still living at the family home. Records show that Alice had seven children, and that sadly two of them had died.

In the 1918 Electoral Register his mother is shown as living at ‘Rothesay’, 7 Cavendish Road, Colliers Wood (in the parish of Mitcham) with George also registered there but shown as being absent on military duties. Presumably, George’s father James had passed away.

George enlisted at Wandsworth into The Royal West Surrey Regiment and later transferred to the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment. On 29 March 1918, George was with the 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment that moved towards Ayette in the north of France, south of Arras. Ayette was at that time being held by the Germans. In April his regiment attacked and carried Ayette and the battalion was in the front line until 25 April. It was during this battle that George was killed in action.

George is buried in the Douchy-les-Ayette British Cemetery, a kilometre west of Ayette. His grave is marked with a Cross, and the headstone inscription reads “SO SADLY MISSED OUR DEAREST SON IN THOUGHT AND MIND BY EVERYONE”. He is also commemorated on the Mitcham War Memorial.

As the sole heir, George’s mother received the sum of £11.19.10 plus £7.00 War Gratuity from his final pay.