Medal Index Card

George Todd was born on the 20th November 1879, at Darlington, the eldest son of George Todd, Carriage Maker, and Jane Todd. There were another nine children, Mary, Edith, Robert, Nellie, Henry, Annie, Abigail, Richard and Jane, all residing at 21 Lambton Street, Darlington in 1901. Prior to this in 1891, the family were residing at 13 Risedale Street, Darlington.

George was educated at the St John's School at Darlington.

He was married on the 7th November 1903, at Darlington, to Jane [20 Peabody Street, Harrowgate Hill, Darlington], daughter of Richard Taylor. They had four children, Reginald, born 5th October 1905, Henry, born 4th February 1908, George, 13th December 1913 and Stanley born 3rd December 1915.

They all were residing at 21 Gurney Street, Darlington.

George enlisted on the 13th May 1915 and was sent to France on the 24th December 1915.

"13th (Service) Battalion The Northumberland Fusiliers was formed at Newcastle in September 1914 as part Kitchener's Third New Army and joined the 62th Brigade, 21st Division. The Division concentrated in the Tring area, training at Halton Park before winter necessitated a move into local billets in Tring, Aylesbury, Leighton Buzzard, High Wycombe and Maidenhead. The artillery was at High Wycombe and Berkhamsted, RE at Chesham, and ASC at Dunstable. In May 1915 the infantry moved to huts at Halton Park, whilst the artillery moved to Aston Clinton with one brigade staying at Berkhamsted and the RE to Wendover. On the 9th of August they moved to Witley Camp. They proceeded to France during the first week of September and marched across France their first experience of action being in the British assault at Loos on 26th September 1915, suffering heavy casualties, just a few days after arriving in France. In 1916 They were in action in the Battles of The Somme, including The Battle of Morval in which the Division captured Geudecourt. In 1917 they were in action during The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, the Arras offensive. In August 1917 they joined with the 12th battalion to form the 12/13th Battalion".

He died from his wounds on the 1st May 1916, at no 5 Casualty Clearing Station.

His wife Mrs Todd had received a letter from her husband's officer, in which he says:- 'I take this opportunity of telling you the facts of your husband's death. He was in the trenches the enemy bombarded heavily, and was wounded. I advised him to go to a dug-out, which was fairly shell proof. I was short of men, so he said, 'No, he would stick to his post.' He did so, but a few minutes later he was again hit, and a little later I got him to hospital. I have recommended him for distinction, and was very sorry to hear of his death. He died in the hospital on his way to the base, and was buried at Corbie. He was one of my best men, and I am deeply moved at losing him. He was a good soldier, and I could trust him to anything; I therefore know what a loss it must be to you.'

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

George Todd is remembered in Darlington on D40.034 and in D40.67

History of the Northumberland Fusiliers in WW1
The CWGC entry for Private Todd