George Herring

George the son of Arthur Edward and Leonie Pyle, was born at Sunderland on May 9th 1895. His parents married February 16th 1890 and went on to have 7 children all of whom survived childhood.

His siblings were Emma Louisa, Dora, George, Stanley, Arthur Edward then 2 later additions were Richard and Louis.

The 1901 census show the family living at Peartree Cottage, Tunstall Road near Sunderland. Father, Arthur was a foreman joiner whilst Leonie had her own account as a poultry farmer.

By 1911 with the family now at 20 Wolsley Terrace George, at the age of 13, was an apprentice draper.

George enlisted into the army at Silksworth on April 5th 1915. He was 5’5” tall with good vision and physical development. He was posted to 36 Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He served with 2 service numbers 760800 and 2399.

He was at home between April 5th 1915 and July 2nd 1916. In total he served 3 years 341 days.

On 11th September 1917 his mother, Leonie died of heart disease whilst he and his brothers were serving at the front.

George rose quickly through the ranks becoming sergeant by November 15th 1917.

Unfortunately, for whatever reason but exactly 1 year after the death of his mother, George went AWOL and was absent for 7 days ie from September 11th 1918 until September 18th 1918. Whether this date is relevant is not known but due to his actions he was tried fort his misdemeanour resulting in his demotion to bombardier. A few days later however his Brigadier General decided to reduce George’s rank further to corporal.

George suffered an injury to his hand on December 5th 1917. He was admitted to No. 2 Military Hospital, Canterbury for 10 day with a compound fracture to 4 fingers to right hand.

Later in his treatment he spent 100 days at the Military Hospital at York still being treated for his shrapnel wound His 5th finger was now infected and he spent another 63 days having medical attention. It appears that one of his fingers eventually had to be amputated. He was eventually awarded a Silver Badge No. 501382 for his disablement. He was discharged from duty February 21st 1919.

Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal

His brothers Albert Edward and Stanley also fought in WW1.

George survived the war. The 1939 Register shows him living with his wife Dora (nee Hutchinson) whom he married in 1919 and his daughter, Dorothy who worked as a library assistant. George himself who had been in the drapery business since his teens was now a manager at a men’s outfitting establishment.

George died at Sunderland in 1953 leaving an estate of £2911.5s.0d

George Herring is not remembered on a local War Memorial.