Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George was born 1890 at Ferryhill, the illegitimate son of Barbara Ann Kirtley, born 1871, eldest daughter of coal miner George Kirtley of Durham, born 1849, and Mary Wandless, born 1848 at Darlington. They were married in the district of Durham in 1869. His grandfather George was widowed in 1888. Barbara Ann Kirtley (20), her sisters Alice (18), Elizabeth (16) and Jane Ann (13) were living with their father at Pit Street, Ferryhill in 1891, George (1) is listed in error as his son.
Barbara Ann Kirtley married during the 1st quarter 1893, Samuel Hurry born 1858 at Norwich, Norfolk, who had migrated to the north east and was living as a lodger in 1881 at Pelton, employed as a coal miner. She and Samuel had 4 children, Samuel Jnr born 1894, Mary 1896, Alice 1899 and William 1901. In 1901 they were living at Hollinside Terrace, Lanchester where George is listed under the surname Hurry. However, in the census of 1911, as a boarder with the Bradley family at 5, Fell Cottages, Medomsley, he is listed as Kirtley, employed as a coal miner/putter. His mother and step-family were living at 13, Dormand’s Cottages, Lanchester. Step-father Samuel and half-brother Samuel Jnr were employed as putters below ground.
During the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1911 George married in the district of Lanchester, Elizabeth Bell. Their son George Eric was born June 7th 1912. They lived at 3, Station Road, Lanchester (now called Beechwood Cottage).
On the outbreak of war George enlisted at Consett, November 7th 1914 assigned as Private 21429 Durham Light Infantry. After a training period at Halton Park the new recruits were formed into the 14th and 15th Battalions attached to the 64th Brigade, 21st Division. Whilst in training he received news that his wife had given birth to their second child, a daughter named Elizabeth, born April 10th 1915.
George was posted to the 14th Battalion but did not depart with the main body of men, September 11th 1915; he embarked for France October 7th 1915 arriving the following day and transferred to the Base Depot. He joined his regiment in the field October 12th at the conclusion of the Battle of Loos. November 1915 the battalion was transferred to the 6th Division and sent to the Somme, although they did not take part in any major offensives and spent the winter in the trenches. Spring 1917 they were transferred to the Arras sector to the Lens coalfield participating during the Battle of Arras April 9th-May 15th 1917. George was wounded April 21st 1917: shrapnel wounds to the neck, left eye and thighs which fractured the bones in his left leg. He was evacuated back through the lines by the 18th Field Ambulance to the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station at Bethune that same day. Four days later he was moved to the 35th General Hospital at Calais where he was admitted April 25th. The probable intention was for him to be sent back to England for treatment once his general health improved. Unfortunately, George died of wounds May 4th 1917 and was interred at Calais Southern Cemetery. He was 27 years of age.
His widow Elizabeth of 3, Station Road, Lanchester, as per his will, signed and dated March 15th 1917, received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their 2 children of 22 shillings 11 pence a week as of November 5th 1917, his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal also personal items consisting of mirror, testament, watch (bkn), chain, tin box, purse, photos, knife, gold ring and correspondence, received March 22nd 1918. She commissioned at her own personal cost an additional inscription to be added to her husband’s headstone, it reads, “Loved In Life Remembered In Death.”
Ada married in the district of Lanchester in 1921, Thomas Langley. They do not appear to have had any children. Details of her demise unknown.
George’s mother Barbara Ann Hurry nee Kirtley died aged 79 years in 1950 registered Durham N. W. Her eldest son Samuel Hurry also perished during WW1, serving as Private 2696 Durham Light Infantry he was killed in action on the Ypres salient, April 26th 1915.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Acknowledgements: Ian Murray
George Kirtley is remembered at Lanchester on L62.01 L62.02 and L62.04 at Malton on M49.01 and at Annfield Plain as S. Kirtley on A38.01 and correctly as G. Kirtley A38.11
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 108
