Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
George Wilfred, the son of Thomas and Margaret nee (Snowdon Emmerson) was born at Barnard Castle in 1883. The couple had married in 1876 and went on to have 6 children although 2 died. George was known as Wilfred in the family.
His siblings were Edwin Denis, Theodore Ernest, and Sarah Winifred. They were able to afford a servant, Elizabeth Fieldhouse, who stayed with them for many years.
The 1891 census showed the family living comfortably at Home Market. Father Thomas was a hosiery trader.
By 1901 Thomas was doing well as a shopkeeper on his own account. Edwin Denis now worked as a solicitor’s clerk whilst George worked at home as a draper’s assistant.
George cannot be found on the 1911 census. Although his brother Theodore was now a railway clerk and their sister Sarah was a governess.
As well as being a well-known hosier father Thomas was also a Registrar of Marriages.
George joined the City of London Fusiliers in October 1914. He was sent to Malta to help with the wounded returning from the Dardanelles.
He then served with the 5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. In 1917 he was attached to the 19th Battalion. He was sent to France 23rd April 1917, however, his service at the front was short, in fact, he was only there for four months two days before he was killed in action on 25th August 1917.
The platoon was involved in retaking Guillemont Farm. George was leading his men in a counter attack when he received a bullet in the thigh. He died soon afterwards.
The inscription “One of the very best” was added to his headstone.
The following article was published in the Reading Mercury on Saturday 08/09/1917:-
Much sympathy will be expressed with Mr E. Denis Berry, the well known Reading solicitor in the loss of his brother, 2nd Lieutenant George Wilfred Berry, Durham Light Infantry who was killed in action on August 25th. He received a bullet in the thigh as he was leading his men into action. 2nd Lt. Berry joined the City of London Fusiliers in October 1914. And for some months was at Malta. He came home to take up his commission and went to the front in April this year. His captain wrote :-
“We are all very sorry to lose so fine an officer and friend. The men will miss him terribly as they liked him immensely. As for myself I cannot express to you my feelings, as he was one of the best officers I have ever met.”
He was in business as a draper.
George Wilfred Berry is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.13, B135.23 and B135.25
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 224
