George Valentine Bessey

A Private with 1st Bn., George died on 27th of May 1915 at the age of 30. 

William was born at Oulton on 14 February 1885, a son of William and Sarah Bessey. He was baptised at Saint Michael’s Church, Oulton, on 15 March 1885. In 1891 his family lived at Yarmouth Road, Oulton. By 1901 George's mother had died and his family lived next to Rose Cottage, The Street, Oulton, and in by 1911 they were living at 4 The Street, Oulton.   

George was working as a labourer, for Mr. Kemp at Lowestoft, when he attested for the 3rd (Militia) Battalion Norfolk Regiment, at Lowestoft, on 5 November 1903. He then joined the regular battalions of the Regiment, at Norwich, on 19 December 1903. 

By 1911 George had joined the Army Reserve, lived with his family at Oulton, and worked as a general labourer. 

George was mobilized when the war began. He arrived in France, with the 1st Battalion, on 16 August 1914. 

George was wounded during the Battle of Mons and he was evacuated to England and admitted to the Herbert Hospital, Woolwich, on 29 August 1914. Once recovered he returned to serve with the 1st Battalion. 

During May 1915 the 1st Battalion were, at various times, in trenches in the W Sector, near Ypres, opposite Hill 60. On 23 May they took over 34 trench from the East Surreys. The 1st Battalion War Diary for 25 to 28 May has no information at all, but we know that five men of the Battalion, including George, were killed in action that day.  

George's brother William served with the Suffolk Regiment and died in 1915.