Lance Corporal George Edward Sexton

George Edward Sexton was born to parents Frederick and Martha (nee Franklin). His parents had married at St. Michael, Stockwell Park Road, Lambeth on 24th November 1877.

By the time George was born on 21st September 1895 his parents already had six children: Catherine, Alice, Florence, Maud, Albert and Lillian. George was baptized on 16th October 1895 at the same church his parents had married in.

In the census of 1901 George’s father Frederick was working as a Road Labourer. The family lived at 10 Ingleton Street, Brixton. George was aged 5 and was living with his parents and three of his siblings: Maud, Albert and Lillian.

By 1911 George's father, now aged 60 was working for the Borough Council as a Labourer. His parents had been married 33 years of their eight children one had died. (Frederick aged nine in March 1892.) The family were still at the same address, now with just three children at home. Maud worked as a Dressmaker and Lillian as an Upholster, George aged 15, had no occupation listed.

George’s Father Frederick died in June 1911, and shortly after the family moved to 62 Links Road Tooting.

George enlisted as a Rifleman on the 12th of June 1915 aged 19 and 9 months in Battersea. He joined the 11th Battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps with service number C/3838. His occupation was listed as a Porter and he was described as: 5ft 8ins tall, weight 126 lbs with a Chest measurement of 36 inches.

George joined the British Expeditionary Force and travelled to France 7th March 1916. He was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal in the field on 3rd April 1916. In July 1916 he was severely reprimanded for allowing his sentry guards in the trenches to read newspapers. On 26th August 1916 he was finally appointed paid Lance Corporal.

In 1916 the 11th Battalion were involved in many Battles including: the Battle of Mount Sorrel, Action in the Somme in the Battle of Delvillewood, Battle of Guillemont and Battle of Flers- Courcelette.

George was wounded by shrapnel and suffered a gunshot wound to his leg on 3rd September 1916. He returned to England on 7th September 1916 and was admitted to hospital on 8th September 1916 where he spent 51 days in hospital recovering before being discharged on 28th October 1916. George remained in England for a few more weeks before he Embarked from Southampton on 19th December 1916. He landed at Havre on the 20th and joined up with the 11th Battalion Rifles the following day.

In 1917 George was with his battalion as they were once again in action during the German retreat of the Hindenburg line. He was killed in action 21st February 1917.

His name appears on the Mitcham War Memorial and his name is also commemorated at the Australian Imperial Forces Burial Ground at Flers in France.