George Sanday
1901 - 'ruler' (print)
1911 - gas fitter (Nottingham Corporation)
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
George Sanday was the son of Frederick and Mary Sanday (née Brooksbank).
The family's surname was given as 'Sandy' in early records and later as 'Sanday'. Frederick Sandy was born in 1849 at Radford, Nottingham, the son of Joseph Sandy, a wheelwright, and his wife Ann who were both born in Ruddington. In 1861 Joseph and Ann were living on Matlock Street, Nottinghan, with their five children, Elizabeth, George, Frederick (12), William and Catherine.
George's mother, Mary Brooksbank, was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, also in 1849.
George and Mary were married at Nottingham All Saints on 13 September 1870 and according to information provided on the 1911 Census by the widowed Mary Sanday, they had nine children who were all born in Radford: Annie Mary b. 1871 (OND), Susan b. 1873 (OND), Catherine Elizabeth birth registered 1876 (JFM), Joseph Cecil b. 1878 (AMJ), Frank b. 1880 (OND), Fred b. 1883 (AMJ), George b. 1885 (JAS), Nellie b. 1887 (OND) and Mabel b. 1890 (AMJ).
Annie Mary was baptised at Holy Trinity on 5 December 1872, Susan was baptised at St Nicholas on 26 February 1874, and Catherine Elizabeth and Joseph Cecil were baptised at St Nicholas, Catherine on 24 February 1876 and Joseph on 27 March 1878.
In 1871, shortly after their marriage, Frederick and Mary were living in Holden's Square, St James' Street, and from the information on the baptismal records were probabably living in Holden Square until at least 1878 when Joseph was baptised.
Frederick, a blacksmith, and Mary were living at 2 Little Toll Street, by 1881 along with their four children, Anne, Susan, Catherine, Joseph and Frank (u/1y) and Mary's widowed father, Francis Brookbank (72) a labourer.
No members of the family have yet been traced on the 1891 Census but in 1901 Frederick and Mary were living at 2 Hawksworth Street, Nottingham: Mary (51), who was named as head of household, Frederick (51, 'husband') a blacksmith, and seven of their children: Catherine (25) tobacco weigher (factory), Joseph (23) porter (ironworks), Frank (20) blacksmith, Fred (17) a 'white smith', George (15) 'ruler' (print), Nellie (13) errand girl (post) and Mabel (10).
Annie Mary had married Richard Severn Goulder in 1893 and in 1901 she and Richard (34, b. Surrey), a Levers lace maker, and their daughter Annie (b. 1895) were living at 3 Edith Terrace in 1901.
The second daughter, Susan, had probably married in 1895 but has not yet been traced after this date nor was she included in the notice of her brother Joseph's death in 1954 which named six surviving siblings; two, George and Catherine, had predeceased Joseph.
Frederick snr. died on 25 May 1901 aged 52.
In 1911 his widow Mary was living at 28 Argyle Street, Radford, Nottingham. Also in the household were three of her nine children: George, a gas fitter, and Nellie and Mabel who were both lace pattern girls.
Annie Goulder, a shopkeeper (own account), her husband and their daughter Annie, a dressmaker's assistant, were living at 6 Connaught Street, Nottingham in 1911. Their daughter Annie died on 11 March 1913 aged 17 at their home, 38 Grundy Street, Alfreton Road. (Nottingham Evening Post, 12 March 1913).
Catherine had married Ernest Arthur Rayment in 1907 (JFM) and in 1911 they were living at 14 Colsterworth Terrace, Nottingham; Ernest (35 b. Peterborough), a railway engine fireman (Midland Railway), Catherine and their daughter Maud (3). Another daughter, Edna Mary, had died in infancy in 1909 (JAS).
Joseph had married Emma Richards in December 1907 and they had two children, Mabel (b. March 1911) and George (b. 24 April 1914). They were living at 14 Westwood Road, Sneinton, when he enlisted in 1915 and he was demobilised to this address in 1920. His son George had died at home on 13 November 1918 aged 4 years; cause of death '(1) influenza (2) broncho-pneumonia, meningitis' (reg. 14 November by Emma Sanday). Joseph, a gas stove fitter, and Emma together with their daughter Mabel (later Ottenhop), a draper's shop assistant, were still living at 14 Westwood Road when the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled. They later moved to 6 Dale Grove, Nottingham and this was the home address given on the probate record for Emma who died in December 1951 and in the notice of Joseph's death in 1954.
Frank had probably emigrated to Canada by 1911 as there is a record of a Frank Sanday (single) labourer, on the passenger list of SS Corsican (Allan Line Steamship Co. Ltd) departingLiverpool 21 April 1910 for Quebec. He then appears on the passenger list of SS Caronia (Cunard Line): Frank Sanday (31), ironworker, last country of residence Canada, departing New York arriving Liverpool 22 December 1912. Frank married Florence M Smith in 1913 (AMJ Nottingham) and a Mr F Sanday (32), teamster, and 'Mrs F Sanday' (29) were on the passenger list of SS Teutonic (White Star Dominion) departing Liverpool for Montreal on 17 June the same year.
Fred had also probably emigrated to Canada before 1911. There are several passenger list records for 'F Sanday' including one in which (Mr) F Sanday (32) married, teamster, departed Liverpool on 17 June 1913 (SS Teuetonic, White Star Dominion), for Montreal. No record has been found of a marriage in the UK, so he may have married in Canada. There is also a passenger list (SS Montclare, Canadian Pacific) departing Liverpool 22
10 March 1939 for Halifax, Nova Scotia, which includes the names of Fred Sanday (55 abt. 1884), wife Bertha (54) and children Winifred (20) and Annie (17), UK address 'c/0 T Cook & Son Nottingham' [travel agent].
Nellie married William Sills in 1912 (JAS) and their son Frederick William was born in 1915; he died in Bagthorpe Hospital in August 1920 aged five. In 1939 William, railway drayman, and Nellie were living at 3 Clanson Terrace, Nottingham. Nellie died in 1981 (AMJ Nottingham).
The youngest child, Mabel, married Edward White in 1917 (JAS). In 1939 she and her husband, a jobbing bricklayer, and their sons Arthur (b. 1920) a capstan operator, and Kenneth (b. 1928) were living with her mother Mary at 28 Argyle Street, Nottingham.
Mary was still living at 28 Argyle Street when she died on 2 April 1940. Probate was awarded to her daughter Mabel. Mabel died in 1959 (JAS Nottingham).
Lance Corporal George Sanday, enlisted in the Territorial Force at Nottingham on 2 March 1909 and served with the 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, Notts & Derby Regt., (Robin Hood Rifles). He was aged 23y. 6m., occupation gas fitter (Nottingham Corporation). He was living at 28 Argyle Street, Radford, and named his mother, Mary Sanday, of the same address as his next of kin.
George completed annual TF camps in July/August 1909, 1910, 1911 and 1912. He re-engaged for one year on 11 February 1913 but then transferred to embodied service on 5 August 1914.
George embarked at Southampton on 25 February 1915, disembarking Le Havre on 26 February 1915. He was promoted lance corporal (unpaid) on 17 August 1915 and to lance corporal (paid) on 16 September,
He was killed in action on 4 November 1915 and is buried in St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue, France (grave ref. II. D. 5).
Service: Home. 2 March 1909-27 February 1915, 5y 363d. BEF France 28 February 1915-4 November 1915, 250d. Service towards engagement, TF to 4 November 1915: 6y 248d.
He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His mother signed receipts for these.
CWGC history of St Vaast Post Military Cemetery (extract): The village of Richebourg-l'Avoue is 9km from the town of Bethune. 'During the Battle of Festubert in May 1915, British soldiers began burying their fallen comrades in an old orchard near a forward dressing station which was located at the terminus of a trench tramway between the hamlet of Richebourg St. Vaast and La Croix Barbet. The cemetery was used by fighting units serving in the front-line and field ambulances until July 1917 ... In April and May 1918, the Germans buried 90 of their dead in the south-east end of the cemetery and in September and October 1918, 18 British soldiers killed during the final Allied advance were laid to rest in Plot V.' (www.cwgc.org)
George's brother, Joseph Cecil Sanday, joined the Army Service Corps (M2/113176) in May 1915. He was aged 37y. 1m., occupation blacksmith. He was living at 14 Westwood Road, Sneinton, and named his wife, Emma, of the same address as his next of kin. He served at home from 4 May 1915-1 April 1916 and with BEF France (339 Company) from 2 April 1916-15 January 1919. Home from 15 January and there is a note on his record that he was admitted to hospital England), on 18 January. It appears that Joseph continued to serve after 1919 (Attestation 14 February 1919) as he applied in April 1920 to 'extend his present army engagement [RASC] for a further term of one month from 1 June 1920'. He was demobilised at RASC Woolwich Docks on 1 July 1920; home address 14 Westwood Road.
CWGC Additional information: Son of Mrs. Mary Sanday, of 28, Argyle St., Radford, Nottingham.
George's personal effects were returned to his mother, Mrs M Sanday, 28 Argyle Street, Nottingham, and receipt acknowledged in March 1916. His personal effects comprised: 2 prayer books, 1 silver watch & metal chain and watch key No. 0935 sealed in envelope, pipe, pair of scissors.
His mother Mary, 28 Argyle Street, completed a form for the Army in 1919 which asked for details of her son George's surviving blood relatives but named only herself and his brother Joseph Sanday (41), 'with the Colours'.
Notts Guardian, 'In Memoriam', 30 May 1903: ‘Sanday. In loving memory of my dear husband Frederick Sanday, who died May 25th, 1901. Gone from our home, but not from our hearts.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Also Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 25 May 1906.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 30 November 1915: ‘Sanday. Killed in action, November 4th, Lance-Corp;. George Sanday, 1/7th Robin Hoods, aged 30 years, 28, Argyle-street, Radford. Highly respected by all. Not dead to those who loved him, not lost, but gone before; he lives with us in memory, and will for evermore. From his sorrowing mother, brothers and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 30 November 1915: ‘Sanday. Killed in action, November 4th, Lance-Corp;. George Sanday, 1/7th Robin Hoods, Deeply mourned. Fiancée Clara. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 4 November 1916:
'Sanday. In loving memory of our dear brother, Lance-Corpl. George Sanday, Sherwood Foresters, who was killed action November 4th, 1915, aged 30 years, 28, Argyle-street, Radford. He little thought when home that he would never return, but now he lies in a lonely grave, and we are left to mourn. His cheery ways, his smiling face are a pleasure to recall. There is nothing left to answer but his picture on the wall. Sleep on, dear George, in a distant grave, your life for your country you nobly gave. No friends stood near you to say good-bye, but safe in God's keeping now you lie. Brother and sister, Frank and Florrie, Toronto, Canada.'
'Sanday. In loving memory of Lance-Corpl. George Sanday, 1/7th Robin Hoods, who was killed in action November 4th, 1915. Far and oft our thoughts do wander, to that grave far away, where the best of sons and brothers, was laid just a year ago to-day; and as long as life and memory last we shall remember thee. From his sorrowing mother, sisters, and brothers, Joe [Joseph] (in France).'
'Sanday. Killed in action November 4th, 1915, my kind and devoted brother, Lance-Corpl. George Sanday. Deeply mourned by his sister and brother, Kate [Catherine Elizabeth Rayment] and Ernest [Rayment], London House, East Leake.'
'Sanday. In loving memory my fiancée George, killed in action November 4th, 1915. Ever in our thoughts. Clara, and family, Len (in France).'
Above courtesy Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 12 March 1913: ‘Goulder. On the 11th inst., at 38, Grundy-street, Alfreton-road, Annie, the dearly loved daughter of Richard and Annie Goulder, in her 18th year. Safe in the arms of Jesus.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 10 August 1920: ‘Sills. On the 8th inst., at Bagthorpe Hosptial, Frederick William, the dearly loved and only child of William and Nellie, aged five years. At rest.’ (www.britisnewspaperachive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 20 February 1954: ‘Sanday. February 19th, at 6 Dale-grove, Joseph, beloved father of Mabel, dear brother of Annie, Nellie, Mabel, Frank, Fred, Canada.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: George k. 1915, Catherine Rayment d. 1946 and Susan probably also predeceased Joseph. He and his wife Emma were buried in Nottingham Church Cemetery.
Additional research, record updated. RF (Sept. 2026)
Photo of George Sanday
St Vaast Post Military Cemetery,
Photo of George Sanday
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone. Photograph Rachel Farrand 6 Aug. 2026).
Photo of George Sanday
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave/headstone. Photograph Rachel Farrand (6 August 2026)