George Dakin
He was a pony driver coal miner underground.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
George Dakin was born in 1895 at Stanton, Staffordshire, he was the son of Henry Dakin and Emily Cutts,
His father Henry was born in Potter Hanworth, Lincolnshire, his mother Emily Cutts was born in 1848 at Stanton, Staffordshire, they were married and went on to have 7 children.
In the 1911 census George is living with his uncle and aunt at Heanor, his uncle John Daykin 33 yrs a general labourer he is living with his wife Rachel 28 yrs and his mother Emily 64 yrs born 1847 Stanton, George Dakin 16 yrs a pony driver coal miner underground.
George Dakin enlisted at Ilkeston whilst residing at Mapperley he served with the 9th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment, he was killed on 21st August 1915, when the battalion attacked in an attempt to gain more ground. The attack began at 3 p.m. when it was hoped the setting sun would blind the Turks but on this day it was misty and the battalion (or what was left of it after 9 August) was once again decimated. The Commander in Chief gave the 9th Battalion a special mention in his dispatch -
'Constantly maintaining stout hearts and a soldiery spirit in despite of heavy losses they had suffered when carrying out their costly duty of closing the big gap between the left of the ANZAC troops and Chocolate Hill from August 8th - 14th. On August 21st this same battalion, together with the 6th Border regiment, displayed, in the words of the commander in chief, ' a vigorous initiative combined with very steady discipline throughout the attack" ' George was one of over 200 men killed during August 1915.
John Morse
His name is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
further research and information Peter Gillings
George Dakin name on Memorial
21275 Private George Dakin killed in action 21/8/1915 and commemorated on the Helles Memorial. Visited by me and a wreath laid. Photo courtesy of Steve Morse