George Smith

A Private with the 8th Battalion, George died on 12th of October 1917 at the age of 39. 

George was born at Ilketshall Saint Andrew, Suffolk, in 1877, a son of  James and Ellen Smith. In 1881 his family lived at Saint Lawrence Road, Ilketshall Saint Andrew. By 1891 they were living at Hulver Street, Henstead, and George was an agricultural labourer. 

On 1 March 1899 George married Annie Elizabeth Whaley at Saint Mary’s Church, Ellingham, Norfolk. George was a labourer and they both lived at Ellingham. In 1901 their home was at Mill Road, Ellingham, and George was a farm milkman. They lived at Ellingham until 1907, when they moved to Blundeston, and by 1910 they were living at Hopton. In 1911 they lived at Camp Common, Hopton, and George was a cowman on a farm. Later Annie lived at The Bungalow, Roe's Farm, Corton.

George enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft, He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 35004. He went to France to join the 2nd Battalion and later he was posted to the 8th Battalion. 

On 12 October 1917 the 8th Battalion were involved in an attack near Poelcappelle, Belgium, Between Rose Trench and the Langemarck to Peolcappelle Road the battalion faced a heavy enemy barrage and soon afterwards were subjected to heavy machine-gun fire. The men had to take cover in shell-holes. The valley was found to be impassable, and the attack was abandoned. 

George was killed in action on 12 October. Forty-six men of the battalion died on 12 October.