George Hunt
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George was born in 1899, the son of Ernest Frederick and Margaret Hunt (née Shrewsbury). His father was born in Chard, Somerset, on 12 July 1877, the son of Eli and Elizabeth Jane Hunt, and baptised at Tatworth parish church on 16 May 1878. The family was still living in Chard in 1891. Ernest, a labourer in a lace factory, was one of eight children living at home. His mother Margaret was born in Lenton, Nottingham, on 14 November 1877, the daughter of James and Sarah Shrewsbury (née Pollard). Her father died in 1879 and in 1881 her widowed mother, a laundress, was living at 1 Mount Pleasant, Lenton. In the home on the night of the census were six children ranging in age from Margaret, the youngest at the age of three, and the eldest, a son aged 15. Ernest and Margaret were married in Nottingham in 1897 and had at least nine children, three of whom died young. All the children were born in Lenton: Lily b. 1898 d. 1898/1899; George b. 1899 (J/A/S); Gladys Eveline b. 31 December 1901 (reg. 1902); Kate Amelia b. 24 February 1903; Ernest Frederick b. 16 June 1906; Arthur Henry b. 1909 (J/A/S); Harold V. b. 1912 d. 1912; Grace W. b. 1914 d. 1915 and Stanley b. 11 October 1916. In 1901 Ernest, a wood sawyer, and Margaret were living at 3 Mount Pleasant, Lenton, with their son George (1) By 1911 they were living on Pelham Terrace, Lenton. Ernest was now working as a Leivers lace maker. He and Margaret had five surviving children: George, Gladys (9), Kate (8), Ernest (4) and Arthur (1). Of their next three children only one, Stanley, survived infancy. At the time of his George's death in 1918 the family home was at 5 Kyte Street, Lenton, and this was still his parents' address in 1939 when the England and Wales Register was compiled. Ernest was employed as a lace maker. Also in the home were two of their children, Kate, a storekeeper (woolwork) and Stanley a metal polisher. Ernest snr. died in 1951 and his wife Margaret in 1956. Of their other surviving children: Arthur Henry died in 1919 aged 10, Kate Amelia in 1980 and Stanley in 2002. Gladys Eveline married Herbert Siddons (b. 7 October 1902 d. 1989) in 1926. In 1939 they were living on Meriden Avenue, Nottingham, with their son Maurice (b. 20 July 1927 d. 1999), who was probably their only chid. Gladys died on 7 October 1973. Ernest Frederick married Winifred Tomlinson (b. 14 October 1906) in 1927. They probaby had three children: Muriel Olive (b. 16 May 1931), Barry (b. 1935) and Keith E. (b. 1940). Winifred and Muriel were recorded living on Watnall Road, Nuthall, Nottingham, in 1939. The record of one other member of the household (possibly Barry) remains closed. Ernest died in 1988 and Winifred in 1994; they were still living in Nuthall.
Special Reserve Bn. George was initially reported missing in action and his death on 10 April 1918 was not confirmed until September the following year. He is buried in the Strand Military Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. IX.A.9). His grave was moved to the cemetery after the Armistice. George qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of the Strand Military Cemetery (extract): 'Charing Cross' was the name given by the troops to a point at the end of a trench called the Strand, which led into Ploegsteert Wood. In October 1914, two burials were made at this place, close to an Advanced Dressing Station. The cemetery was not used between October 1914 and April 1917, but in April-July 1917 Plots I to VI were completed. Plots VII to X were made after the Armistice, when graves were brought in from some small cemeteries and from the battlefields lying mainly between Wytschaete and Armentieres [cemeteries listed].' (www.cwgc.org)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, Thursday 4 September 1919: 'Hunt. Reported missing April 10th, 1918, now reported killed on that date or since, Lce-Corpl George Hunt, 4th South Staffords, 5 Kyte-street, Lenton. He died that we might live. From his sorrowing mother, father, sisters, and brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 10 April 1920: ‘Hunt. In loving memory of Lce-Corpl George Hunt, presumed killed April 10th, 1918, Ever in our thoughts. From father, mother, brothers, and sisters, 5 Kyte-street. Lenton.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father Ernest was his legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: named his mother Margaret.
