William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
George was born at Seaham Harbour in 1878. His parents, Alex and Elizabeth (nee Iley) married later that same year. The couple had 12 children together but only 6 were born alive whilst 2 others died later.
In 1881 Alex (d 1914) was working as a shoemaker. The children at that time were David, Margaret, Thomas, and George. The family lived together at William Street, Dawdon.
By 1891 the family had moved and were now living at North Terrace, Dawdon. Elizabeth was shown as head of the household as there is no mention of her husband, Alex.
Elizabeth was working at the local bottle works along with 3 of her children namely Margaret, Thomas and George.
George married his sweetheart, Margaret Ann Gillie in 1898.
In 1901 as George was living at Back South Railway Street. He was living there with his wife and 2 children Helen and George. George William known as Gilley/Gillie was born before the marriage and in 1911 was described as step son. George senior is a coal miner/putter.
By 1911 2 new daughters had arrived - Margaret and Florence and then August another girl, Ethel. The family of 6 lived in two rooms. George was now working as a coal miner/hewer.
George enlisted at Sunderland but no further information is available regarding his life in during his time at the front.
George was killed in action on July 1st 1916. As his body was never found he has no known grave so he is listed along with over 72,000 of his comrades.
The pension allocated to his wife and children as from April 4th 1917 was 26/3d per week.
Monies owing to him amounted to £2.2s.9d with a later war gratuity of £6.10s.0d.
Medals: British War Medal and Victory Medal
George William Gillie served during WW1 and survived. George, the son of his brother David W. Buglass was killed in action 12th February 1915.
Margaret Ann married Thomas Cuthbert on June 30th 1917.
The name of George Buglass is remembered at Dawdon on D41.06 and at Seaham on S117.04, S117.06 and S117.19 it is difficult to know whether it is uncle or nephew being remembered.
