George Henry Clarke
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
His real name was George Gimson the son of Arthur, a general labourer, and Annie Adelaide Gimson of 198 Queen's Road Beeston Nottingham. His father was born in 1868 at Leicester and his mother in 1867 at Nottingham. Married in 1892, they had 6 children. George’s siblings to survive infancy were Alfred b.1893, Alice b.1896, Albert b.1904 and Annie Adelaide b.1907. In 1901 the family was living at 15 High Road Chilwell and by 1911 at 13 Regent Street Beeston.
George enlisted at Nottingham 27/8/1914, giving his real name George Arthur Gimson. He signed on for 6 years in the Special Reserve and was posted to 4th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. He gave his age as 17 years 233 days (he was actually 15). He was absent from parade on a number of occasions and disobedient to orders on others. On 23rd February 1915 he was discharged from the army as ‘not likely to become an efficient soldier’ contrary to King’s Regulations 392 (III) (CC). He then re-enlisted as George Henry Clarke. Still under age, he was posted to the 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters. After training he was posted to Sunderland where he remained until being sent to the Dardanelles. Evacuated initially to Egypt with 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, he was transferred to France with 10th Battalion. He was killed in action at Deville Wood.
Delville Wood Cemetery Longueval Grave Reference: XXI M 8
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