George Nisbet was born in North Shields at 15 Northumberland Street, 12th January 1898, the son of William and Elizabeth Nisbet (nee Patterson). He was one of their eight surviving children consisting of four sons and four daughters and lived most of his life in South Shields from the early 1900s.

Jeannie born 1885, Janet born 1890, Peter born 1887, Elizabeth born 1895, John William born 1892, Henry, born 1900 and Isabella 1905.

Originally from Eyemouth in Scotland the family had moved south after the 1891 Census, settling first at Tynemouth and during George’s early years moved to South Shields where his younger brother was born in August 1900. In 1901 they are found living at 22 Edith Street and by 1911 moved up the street to number 70. They lived a short distance from St Stephen’s Church.

Being the third son to enlist in the army must have been a worrying time for his family and from the postcards sent that have been found that the majority were to his sister Elizabeth.

He had enlisted into the Army Service Corps service number R/277083, and was drafted out 30th August 1917, and arrived in France on September 1st 1917.

The ASC Remounts Service was responsible for the provisioning of horses and mules to all other army units. The units of the Remounts were always part of the Lines of Communication and were never under direct orders of a Division.

"Soldiers who served in the Remounts usually had the letter R as a prefix to their number".

He left a Diary see below, which gives us some insight into which units he was serving in, the following are some extracts from the diary:- "Drafted out to France Sept 1st 1917. On leave from France Oct 7th to 21st. Left Serquex at 11pm on 6th arrived at Boulogne at 6am. Sailed at 4pm arrived at Folkstone at 6.15pm. Left Folkstone at 7pm, arrived Victoria London, 9.30pm. Left Kings X [Cross] at 10.30 arrived at [South] Shields at 7.15am"

George originally before being sent abroad, was with No 4 Troop, Remount Depot, 'K' Squadron, at Hut no 4, Romsey, A.S.C., North Camp in Hampshire.

"During the war, four main Remounts Depots were established. – Shirehampton (for horses received at Avonmouth) – Romsey (for Southampton) – Ormskirk (for Liverpool) – Swaythling a collecting centre for horses trained at the other three centres for onward shipment overseas."

Source: The Long Long Trail

His next unit was No 8 Squadron, Advanced Remount Depot at Dunkirk, to which he was transferred to on Sunday 16th March 1919. The next entry was Friday, 11th April 1919, when he is transferred to No 5 Section, 23rd Squadron at No 5 Base Remount Depot at Calais.

Next Diary Entry:- "Sunday, January 12th 1919, 21st Birthday."

"On Wednesday, February 19th he came down to No 5 Advanced Remounts Squadron, No 1 Base" [It was established at Chateau Madrillet and remained there for the rest of the war].

"Arrived at No 1 Base Remount Depot Rouen, at 2.00am Friday, March 14th 1919, after a 11 day trip."

"Thursday, 13th March 1919, No 5 Advance Remounts disbanded by War Office, I am being transferred to No 8 Squadron Rmt at Dunkirk."

"On Thursday, March 27th 1919, He left Dunkirk Docks at 5am [with 800 horses], anchored at Goodwin Sands for an hour before being docked at Tilbury Docks."

"Sunday, April 27th 1919, George is now with No 1 Troop, 25th Squadron, No 4 Base Remounts at Boulogne"

"30th May 1919, George is now with " No 30 Squadron, No 5 Base Remounts A.P.O. 4. France".

He was demobbed at Ripon on Thursday, 30th October 1919 and was given a 28 days furlough.

George was a Provisions Shop Inspector after the War.

In 1939 he resided at 126 Baring Street, South Shields with his wife Elsie Mary Nisbet [born 30th October 1900]. When George died on the 22nd October 1955, of a Coronary Thrombosis aged 58, his place of death was 122 Baring Street, South Shields.

He was awarded the Victory Medal and the British Medal.

Research: Cynthia Kent/James Pasby

The Royal Army Service Corps
The Army Service Corps in WW1