8253 L/Cpl David McGeorge, 2nd Bn Border Regt

739 British officers and men died on this day of heavy fighting on the 26th October 1914. 8253 L/Cpl David McGeorge of the 2nd Battalion, The Border Regiment was killed in action on this day. He was born in Carlisle and enlisted there on the 10th March 1906 in what was a bumper recruitment year for the Border Regiment. Thirty-six pages of his service record survive in WO 363. He was 26 years old, the son of the late William McGeorge, and Mary McGeorge of 37 Colville Street, Denton Holme, Carlisle, and the husband of Frances McGeorge of 23 Colville Street, Denton Holme, Carlisle. He had married Frances in June 1914 and was on the Army Reserve when war was declared.

David McGeorge has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres.


At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

23962 L/Cpl William Kitchin, 1st Bn, Border Regt

23962 Lance-Corporal William Kitchin of the 1st Battalion, Border Regiment, was killed in action on the 13th August 1917. He was 24 years old, the son of Mrs A J Kitchin, of 4 Williamson Lane, Tangier Street, Whitehaven, Cumberland. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

22998 Pte George Kingsbury MM, 8th Bn, Border Regiment

22998 Private George Kingsbury MM of the 8th Battalion, Border Regiment, died of wounds on the 3rd May 1918. He was born in Marylebone, London and enlisted in London, originally joining the East Surrey Regiment where his number was 9775.

Papers for George survive in WO 363 at the National Archives, and the following information is taken from these. George joined the East Surrey Regiment on the 9th July 1915. He was, according to his attestation papers, 28 years old and gave his trade as Carman. His address is recorded as 15 Bridfort Street, Marylebone.

George had previously seen six years' service with the East Surrey Militia, later being discharged on the Termination of his Engagement. The date 1905 is written next to this line, which can only mean a joining date as, at 28 when he joined up, he simply would have been too young to have been discharged - after six years - in 1905. However, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, gives George's age at death as 35. If this is his true age, then a 1905 militia discharge date is a possibility.

George had a number of tattoos: a crucifix on his chest and tattoos on both arms.

After his death, a medallion, three rings, a crucifix and bag were returned to George's father in Marylebone.

He is buried in Esquelbecq Military Cemetery in France.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry (MIC)
Soldiers Died in The Great War
Army Service Numbers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission

22897 Pte Robert Hewson, 6th Bn, Border Regiment

22897 Pte Robert Hewson of the 6th Battalion, Border Regiment, died of wounds on 30th September 1916.

I have been unable to locate this man on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Roll of Honour database, althuogh Soldiers Died in The Great War indicates that he was born in Bishopsgate, London and enlisted in London. His medal index card indicates that he formerly served with the East Surrey Regiment and his army service number with the East Surreys indicates a joining date of around June 1915.

Robert Hewson arrived overseas (Gallipoli) on 24th November 1915 and thus qualified for the 1915 Star along with the British War and Victory medals.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918