Dorothy Hall and Brenda McMahon submitted the following:-
George, the son of George and Hannah was born at 9 St. John’s Lane Gateshead July 1883. In April 1911 he is with his parents and was a glass worker at Sowerby’s Glass works. In June 1901 he joined the Militia and then on August 31st 1901 George enlisted and joined the Northumberland Fusiliers. After some time in Dublin he was in South Africa from December 1902 to August 1905. He then went on the Army Reserve list.
George married Mary Dolan at Holy Trinity Church 26/06/1907. In 1911 George and Mary, their three children and unmarried brother in law were living at 55 Park Lane Gateshead. George worked as a general labourer at the NER goods station. John Dolan also worked at the goods station. His wife also went out to work as a white lead worker.
As an Army Reservist George was mobilised on August 5th 1914. He is described as being 5 foot 3 ˝ inches in height with a fair complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He was in France in December 1914. His pension records say that he found breathing after marching difficult and coughed and brought up blood. He was discharged from the army 24 October 1915 as no longer fit - his service was a total of 14 years and 56 days. He died at home 11 December 1916 and was buried in Gateshead East Cemetery.
Mary his wife added “Blessed is he who died for righteousness”.
He is not on any Gateshead War Memorial.
