George Arthur Hand
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was born about 1891 the son of Herbert Richards Hand and Emma Hand (nee Dixon). Herbert and Emma were married in 1887 and were to have 8 children of whom 5 were still living in 1911. Five children were named on the census between 1891 and 1911; Edith Mary Elizabeth, George Arthur, Florence Gertrude, John Lyall and Roland Thomas. Three children who died in infancy, Hilda Emma, Doris Sarah and Herbert Harold, are commemorated on the family grave in Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery. In 1891 Herbert, a dairyman and coal merchant, and Emma were living at 106 Cremorne Street, Meadows, with their daughter Edith (2); they also had a boarder, William Levthem (22). They were still at the same address in 1901 and as well as their four children, Edith, George (9), Florence (6) and John (4), there were two boarders in the household; Robert Teebon (22) a railway cleaner, and Arthur Foulds (21) a railway porter. By 1911 the family had moved just a few doors away to 110 Cremorne Street. Herbert was now a superintendent (cricket ground) for the City Council public parks. Of his five children, Edith was a school teacher with the county council, both George and Florence were employed as clerks and John was a messenger for the Midland Railway (telegraph) while the youngest child, Roland (7) was still at school. They also had a boarder, Miriam Bassord (25). Emma Hand died five years later on 20 October 1916 age 51 and her husband Herbert Richards on 14 May 1924 aged 60. Their second son, John Lyall Hand, died on 4 April 1930. George's brother, John Lyall, served in the Sherwood Foresters (36257 Private Hand); he attested on 25 November 1915 and was mobilized on 21 February 1916. John Lyall married Dorothy Gertrude Lilian and was living at 3 Highfield Road, Old Lenton, when he died on 4 April 1930. George's cousin, Oliver Carlyle Hand, the son of his father's brother, John Thomas Hand and his wife Annie, also died in the war; 17058 Private OC Hand, 1/8th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers, killed in action 27 September 1918 aged 19 (Ribecourt Road Cemetery).
He enlisted on a Short Service Attestation on 25 November 1915 at the age of 24 years and 6 months. He was on home service from November 1915 until 7 July 1916 and served in France from 8 July 1916 until his death on 19 January 1918. His army service record shows one period of extended leave from 17 October 1917-27 October 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras memorial, France. He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 9 February 1918: ‘Hand. Killed in action January 19th, Private George Arthur Hand, Sherwood Foresters, eldest son of Herbert and the late Emma Hand, 110 Cremorne Street, Nottingham. Father, brothers, sisters.’ His father's first names are given on documents as both 'Herbert Richard' and 'Herbert Richards'. Herbert Richard Hand and his brother, John Thomas Hand, were the sons of John and Elizabeth Hands and were born and brought up in Gonalston. Probate: Hand Emma of 110 Cremorne-street Nottingham (wife of Herbert Richards Hand) died 28 October 1916 Administration Nottingham 30 August (1939) to Jane Elizabeth Hand widow. Effects £118 18s 11d. Former Grant DR Nottingham 31 July 1918. Probate: Hand Herbert Richards of 110 Cremorne-street Nottingham died 14 May 1924 Administration Nottingham 15 August to Jane Elizabeth Hand widow. Effects £379 7s. 9d. Emma Hand, who died on 20 October 1916 aged 51, is buried in Nottingham Church (Rock) Cemetery and her son is commemorated on the family headstone: 'Also Pte GA Hand (-) killed in action France Jany 19th 1918 aged 26 years.' Also commemorated on the headstone are Hilda Emma, Doris Sarah and Herbert Harold, three of Herbert and Emma's children who died in infancy and John Lyall Hand who died on 4 April 1930. Herbert Richards Hand died on 13 May 1924 aged 60 and is buried in the family grave. Another relative, John Leonard Burton Hand (8 June 1928-1 July 2002) is also buried there.
