Private George Valentine Rhodes
| Date of Birth | c. 1894 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 22 |
| Date of Death | 7 January 1916 |
| Service Number | S10104 |
| Military Service | Seaforth Highlanders 1st Battalion |
| Merton Address | Hatherleigh Lodge |
| Local Memorial | St. Lawrence Church, Morden |
Additional Information
George was born in Kensington and baptised on 11 March 1894 at Holy Trinity Church, Brompton.
By the 1901 census, his family were living at Hatherleigh Lodge in Morden. His parents, George a coachman and Hannah had 6 children: Robert, George, Bessie, Grace, Cecil and Charles.
At the time of the 1911 census, they were still in the same 4 roomed house. Bessie was not home that night but the rest of the family, including 7 year old Charles, are shown.
On leaving school George became a milkman but when he enlisted on 24 April 1915 his occupation was shown as “Pantryman”.
He enlisted in Wimbledon. He was 21 years and 2 months old, 5’6” tall and weighed 120 lbs. He had hazel eyes and auburn hair. He joined the Seaforth Highlanders S10104.
George was killed in action whilst on duty in the Persian Gulf on 7 January 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial. His name also appears on one of the panels in the Lychgate at St. Lawrence Church, Morden, which serves as the parish war memorial and also on a brass plate in the Assembly Hall of Morden Primary School.