George Islip Coy
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Born 1896 at East Stoke he was the son of Thomas Islip and Anne Coy. His father was a teamster working on the farms. George had one older brother and two younger brothers. By 1911 the family had moved to Bulcote and another son had arrived to the family. By this time George and his older brother Charles were both working on farms in the area.
On 12 October 1914 George enlisted at Southwell with the Territorial Force becoming Private 2664 of the 8th Battalion Notts & Derbys Regiment stating he was 19 years old. He embarked at Southampton 25 June 1915 for France as part of the British Expeditionary Force and immediately joined his unit in the field. He was killed in action and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. His personal effects were sent to his mother Mrs Annie Coy at Bulcote. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals which were sent to his mother.
George's eldest brother Charles Islip Coy also served with the armed forces in France during the Great War and was still there in May 1919. George was a member of the Church of England and appears to have been a devout man as his personal effects included a prayer book, a testament and a gospel along with his pipe, photos and a purse. Article published 4th August 1915 in the Nottingham Daily Express :- “Mrs. Coy, of Bulcote (near Burton Joyce) has received news from Lieutenant Hemingway that her son, Private George Coy, of the 8th Sherwood Foresters, has been killed in action. Private Coy is the first soldier belonging to Burton Joyce or Bulcote to be killed.” A memorial service was held for his at Bulcote on 15th August 1915. Article published in the Nottingham Daily Express on 17th August 1915 :- “LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY. “Memorial Service for a Bulcote Lance-Corporal. “The Rev. C. T. Witherington, M.A., vicar of Burton Joyce and Bulcote, conducted a service at Bulcote on Sunday [15th August 1915] morning in memory of Lance-Corporal George Coy, recently killed in France. The text was taken from the 70th and 71st verses of the 78th Psalm, “He chose David from the sheepfolds from the following ewes.” The Dead March was played at the close of the service by the organist, Mr. Stewart, following by the singing of the National Anthem. Members of the Burton Joyce Company of the Citizen Army paraded for the service.” Both above article are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
