George Eli Geary
In 1911 he was serving with 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) at their barracks at Crownhill, Devon, he is 19 yrs of age
- Family History
- Military history
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George Eli Geary was born in 1892 at Mansfield, he was the son of Emanuel a chemical works labourer and the late Louisa Geary née Collins of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
His father Emanuel was born in 1866 at Offord, Huntingdon his mother Louisa Collins was born in 1869 at Mansfield, she died in 1893 at Mansfield, she was 24 yrs of age they had 2 further children, Charles born 1891 and May Etel born 1892.
His father remarried in 1907 to Emily.
In the 1911 census the family are living at Lees Yard, Millgate, Selby Emanuel 45 yrs a chemical works labourer, he is is living with his second wife Emily 51 yrs.
In the same 1911 census George Eli Geary 19 yrs is a srving soldier with the 2nd battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment at the their barracks at Crownhill, Devon.
Sergeant George Geary enlisted in Nottingham and served with the 1st battalion Sherwood Foresters he landed in France on 4th November 1914 , he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps and received promotion to sergeant. As Sergeant George Geary, he was killed in action with 89th Company, Machine Gun Corps on 4th July 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial
Corporal George Eli Geary, 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire)Regiment, was from Sutton-in-Ashfield. He wrote an account of his experiences at Neuve Chapelle from the opening of the offensive on 10th March 1915. Wounded, most likely on 11th or 12th March, he wrote home from hospital which was published in the Nottingham Free Press dated 2nd April 1915.
“I received your cigarettes quite safely. I am in hospital suffering from a bayonet wound in the back from the famous Prussian Guards, but I am now getting on nicely. I was in the battle of Neuve Chapelle near La Bassee. I shall be over in Sutton for ten days as soon as my wound is better, so I might be able to tell you how it was won. But we lost heavily in the taking of Neuve Chapelle, and that victory cost us something.
“We had Neuve Chapelle by 5 o’clock on the 10th instant, and the Germans lost heavily on making their counter-attacks. I shall come and see you as soon as I arrive in Sutton, and shall be pleased to be there again.” [1]
In a separate letter, Geary wrote:
“I have arrived here in hospital from the battle of Neuve Chapelle. I have a bayonet wound in the back from the Prussian Guards in their counter-attack to take their lost position, but they were utterly routed. On the 10th inst. when our artillery commenced their bombardment it was hell on earth. I am sorry to state that I left the hospital at Le Tournquet before I could complete the song, “Tipperary.”
“I am now getting on nicely. We had a great many casualties in taking Neuve Chapelle, but I can assure you we gave them true British pluck when they made their counter-attack. They were nothing but a pack of cowards, as when they got within a bayonet distance they threw up their hands. Those who did stick it were not long live men.
“I will get a furlough as soon as my wound is better. Would like the old “Free Press” sent again just to let me know how things stand in dear old Sutton. I may be able to see you when I come home. We have been fighting round La Bassee and Neuve Chapelle all the while we have been in France.
“It was a Lance Corporal the previous time I wrote, but promotion has given me a step higher.”
Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
Photo of George Eli Geary
Thiepval Memorial,