Brnda McMahon has submitted the following:-
George was born at Cornforth on June 19th 1890 and baptised a few weeks later on 23 July that same year. His parents were Edward and Laura Jane Blower (nee Holmes) who together had 8 children although sadly 3 died.
Laura had married Ernest Blower in 1879 and produced 2 children, Lily and Ernest. Unfortunately her husband, Ernest, died in 1883 and in 1886 she married her second husband, Edward Dyke.
In 1891 the family were settled at Cornforth, Durham. The family comprised 2 children to the marriage with, Edward (Ethel and George) and also the two children from Laura’s marriage to Ernest (Lily and Ernest).
The 1901 shows the family much the same as before except there had been additions to the family. Children James Arthur, Ada and Frederick Robert had arrived. Father, Edward was working as a coke drawer.
By 1911 he was now a cinder drawer at the colliery coke ovens. His son, George, was working at the same job as his father whilst son, Arthur aged 15 was a (t)rapper boy below ground.
George enlisted at Ferryhill December 11th 1915. He became service number 31938 serving with the 4th Battalion Durham Light Infantry.
On April 19th 1916 he underwent a medical examination at Sunderland. His records show that he has "a history of an alleged stroke with paralysis in face, arm and leg loss. No present signs." The doctor appears to have contacted Thrislington Colliery (who employed George) with regards to this statement. They reported back that "he is a regular worker for last 14 weeks and as far as he is known quite strong and healthy." George was therefore considered fit for general service.
Details given were that he was 5’3” tall, weighed 130lbs with good physical development. He was a labourer by trade and was of the Church of England faith.
There were two occasions when George was reprimanded for overstaying his pass. On June 5th 1916 he overstayed his pass for a few days which resulted in 4 days loss of pay. Again on July 26th 1916 he again overstayed his 4 days leave for several days for which he again lost pay, this time for 3 days.
Soon afterwards George was posted to B.E.F. and joined 10 Battalion Durham Light Infantry on August 6th 1916. Just over a month later he was reported missing/killed in action on September 16th 1916.
The monies due to him amounting to £1.12s.11d plus a later payment of £3.0.0d war gratuity was paid to his parents.
There was a short article in the Hartlepool Daily Mail 16/11/1916 regarding his death.
Medals: British War Medal and Victory Medal
George Dyke is remembered at Cornfoth on C115.01 and C115.03 as George Dyke and at Tursdale on T62.02 as George Dykes
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 247
