2nd Lieutenant George Edward Stirling
| Date of Birth | 25 October 1897 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 18 |
| Date of Death | 7 October 1916 |
| Service Number | |
| Military Service | 8th (City of London) Battalion Post Office Rifles |
| Merton Address | Chiddingstone, Sheridan Road, Merton |
| Local Memorial | Rutlish School, Merton |
Additional Information
George was born on 25th October 1897, in Bolton, the eldest of four children – Alec born 1901, Newman born 1902 and Gladys born 1903. His father William Alexander Stirling was a commercial traveller for a firm of printers and his mother had the unusual name of Harrick according to various documents, although this may be a mis-spelling for Harriet. He was baptised on 15 October 1898 in the Congregational Church on St George Street, Bolton.
In 1901 the family lived in Woodford but by the census of 1911 the family were living at Chiddingstone, Sheridan Road, Merton Park along with their servant, Maud. George was educated at the City of London School and, from January 1909 to 1912, at Rutlish. He then went to Pitman’s Commercial School in the City of London.
George enlisted in August 1914, aged 16. His Battalion was sent for training at Bisley camp before travelling to the Western Front. Here the men were involved in several offensives, including the Battle of Loos in September 1915. George is believed to have lied about his age on enlistment, so that the authorities thought he was older. Certainly by the age of 17, he had been promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant.
George’s unit was involved in two phases of the Battle of the Somme, before he lost his life during the battle for Transloy Ridge. His body was never identified, so he was buried as an unknown soldier and is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial. The Thiepval register also lists his father, Captain W A Stirling.