The son of George and Isabell Maitland, of Seaham, Co. Durham.
In 2006 the following was reported:
Although this information is on the CWGC site George Maitland's son says that the Seaham information is incorrect.
There seems to have been a mix up as there were two George Maitlands from the Northumberland Fusiliers killed in the First World War.
George's father was killed 24th June 1916 serving with the 12th Battalion; he was the husband of I. Maitland of Gray's Buildings, Beamish.
George who served with 23rd Battalion and died of wounds 1st March 1917, came from Seaham Harbour.
George Maitland (1) is remembered on the West Pelton St Paul’s War Memorial.
George William Maitland died 27th April 1945 aged 32 years. His entry should read “son of the late George and Isabella Maitland and husband of Elsie Maitland of Beamish”.
On the 27th April 1945, U Boat U-1105, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Joachim Schwarz detected three British frigates about 25 miles west of Mayo, which were part of the 2nd Division of the 21st Escort Group.
The U-boat fired two Gnats and dived to 100 meters to escape the counterattack but sank to the bottom at 174m (570ft), and afterwards remained motionless. The first torpedo hit HMS Redmill (K 554) (Lt J.R.A. Denne, RN) after 50 seconds, followed by the second moments later. The ship was badly damaged but remained afloat, assisted by HMS Rupert (K 561) (Lt P.C.S. Black, RN). Ships and aircraft of the 21st Escort Group searched for the U-boat over the next 31 hours without success. On the 4th May the Germans surrendered - to the same group which had failed to find her the week before.
HMS Redmill (K 554) lost about 60 feet from her stern, was towed to Lisahally and declared a total loss. On the 20th January 1947, the hulk was returned to the US Navy and on the 4th February sold for scrap to Athens Piraeus Electricity Co Ltd, Athens.
George William Maitland is remembered at Pelton on P26.03 and on our List of Ships’ crews.
H.M.S. Redmill Crew List
The CWGC entry for Leading Stoker Maitland
