George was born on 2nd June 1899 in Hull, Yorkshire to parents Tom and Minnie, their first child and only son, with a daughter arriving a year later. On the 1911 census George was aged eleven and attended school along with his younger sister Dora. The family lived at 18 Airlie Street in Hull and their father worked as a joiner.
Prior to joining the Navy Goerge worked as a telegraph messenger and attended the Wellington Troop Scouts, gaining the honour of Kings Scout and patrol leader.
He signed up to the Royal Navy for twelve years service, recorded as 5'4" tall, with light brown hair, blue eyes and a scar on his left wrist.
HMS IMPREGNABLE - 09/09/1915 - 13/03/1916, training and rated as a Boy 2nd Class, rising to Boy Telegraphist on 19/02/1916
HMS GANGES - 14/03/1916 - 22/06/1916
HMS HERCULES - 23/06/1916 - 11/10/1916
HMS VANGUARD - 12/10/1916 - 09/07/1917, rising to Ordinary Telegraphist on 02/02/1917 and Telegraphist on 15/06/1917
He had just turned 18 when he was killed - his pension was awarded to his mother following his death, his Victory and British war medals were issued to his father.
(#132 - 135/843)
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
1911 England Census
Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Piece: 734
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: 007 (1914 - 1919)
CWGC Register
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 97
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/7; Scan Number: 0612
WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; Pension Record Cards; Reference: 034/0144/BUT-BUT
Photo courtesy of ww1hull.com