Private George Whilby Warren

George Whilby Warren was the first of ten children born to parents George (Snr) who worked as a Cellarman and Mother Maria Nee Cayless. His parents had married at St. Mary in Paddington on 5th September 1891. George was born in Hammersmith in the Summer of 1892 and baptised at St. Stephen in Shepherds Bush on 28th August that same year. By 1896 when siblings Edith and Frederick were baptised the family were living at 54 Goldhawk Road, Hammersmith.

By 1901 the growing family had moved to 156 Dalling Road, Hammersmith. George aged 8, now had four siblings: Edith, Frederick, Freda and Elsie 4 months. Over the following six years a further five children were born: Edward, John, Francis, Ernest and Violet.

In the Census of 1911, the whole family were still at the same address and George’s father was still working as a Cellarman. George aged 18 was listed as being in the Army possible as a Bandsman. Edith 17 worked as a Factory hand whilst Frederick 16 was employed as an Errand Boy. The Family were living in 5 rooms and not sharing the house with any other family.

When war broke out George enlisted as a Private with the Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales) 1st Battalion on 13th August 1914 and given the service number 8772. This Regiment was formed in 1881 by merging with the 49th Princess Charlotte of Wales and the 66th Berkshire Regiments.

At the outbreak of War, the 1st Battalion was in Britain and was deployed directly to the Western Front, where it was joined by the 2nd Battalion in November 1914.

Whilst still serving as a Private with his Regiment George became unwell. He was sent to the Downs Sanatorium in Sutton where he died on 8th June 1915 aged 22 suffering from Tuberculosis.

He was buried on 12th June 1915 in Morden cemetery, Garth Road. His name also appears on a stone memorial in the churchyard.

At the time of Georges death his parents were living at 103 Linkfield Road, Isleworth in Middx.