Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
George was born at Girvan, South Ayrshire in 1887. His parents were John and Jane (nee Sharp).
The 1891 Scottish census records the family living together with parents and siblings including John, William and Alex. Father John was a dairyman.
Again according to the 1901 Scottish census life is much the same except George is now working as a grocer’s assistant.
By 1911 the family had moved to England. Mother Jane died just before the 1911 English census. John (father) was now a licensed victualler at the Railway Hotel on the Bank, Barnard Castle. The family helped their father with the running of the pub. George was a waiter, sister Catherine (aka Kate) worked as a barmaid. Also living with the family at that time was Rachel Smith a family member, Janet Baird, sister in law and a servant.
George enlisted at Berwick and served with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers for two years before the outbreak of war.(Teesdale Mercury 13/01/1915).
George went missing on/about November 18th 1914 and was later declared dead.
He was a brave soldier and was mentioned in dispatches as well as being listed in the De Ruvigny Roll of Honour. George was also mentioned in the Gazette No. 29071 17/12/1915.
His sister, Kate, married James Raine who also served and died in the war.
George is listed on The Menin Gate along with over 54,000 of his comrades.
George Connell is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
