George Henry Elson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George Henry Elson was baptised on 3rd January 1897 the son of Charles Henry Elson a coal miner and his first wife Clara (née Castledine). Charles Henry was born in 1875 at Spondon. Clara was born in 1870 and died aged 33 in 1903. Married on 25th May 1896 in Nottingham, they had three children - George Henry b.1897 Ilkeston, Gertrude b.1898 Ilkeston and Mabel b.1902 Ilkeston. On December 26th 1903, Charles Henry married Elizabeth Hicknan and they had two children - Charles Phillip b.1905 and Sydney b.1907. In 1911, they lived at Chesnut Grove, Westdale Lane, Gedling, Nottingham.
He was attached to 14th Bn Leicestershire Regiment. George Henry Elson initially served (26285) with the Sherwood Foresters Regiment (Chatsworth Rifles). He landed in France on 6th March 1916. The award of the Military Medal to Lance Corporal George Henry Elson, 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment was published in the London Gazette, 2nd November 1917: “For gallantry and devotion to duty during operations in the St. Julien Sector between 31st July and 5th August 1917.” He was commissioned into the Leicestershire Regiment and was awarded a bar to his military Medal. The bar to his Military Medal was published in the London Gazette on 14th January 1918. The citation reads: “For gallantry and devotion to duty during operations at Bulgar Wood on 20/21st September 1917.” He died of influenza on 8th December 1918 and is buried at Lille Southern Cemetery, Grave Reference: I D 25
Research by Peter Gillings
