George William Barks
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George was born on 29th January 1897 at Balderton and was the son of William Henry Barks and Jessie Elizabeth née Keith, of Balderton Cottages, Balderton. William was born in 1864 in Balderton and Jessie had been born in 1870 at Crawthorne, Berkshire, they were married , at St Georges church, Hanover Sqaure, London. in 1889 , they had four children however 1 died in infancy , Georges siblings were Gladys b1893, and Esther b1899 both were born in Balderton
George enlisted on 24th October 1914 at Newark, Nottinghamshire. At the time of enlistment he was 17 years and 9 months old and a farm labourer employed by J Simpson. His home address was 3 Balderton Cottages, Balderton, Newark, his next of kin was William Henry Barks - father- of 3 Balderton Cottages. He had a medical on the same day and was passed as fit for active service. On 9 Mar 1916 he was appointed Lance Corporal (unpaid) and by 13 Apr 1916 he was appointed Lance Corporal (paid). He went to Ireland with the battalion and was killed in action during the attack on Mount street Bridge, Dublin on 26th April 1916. He was 19 years of age , he had served in the Army for a total of 1 year and 185 days. His body was returned to his family and buried in St Giles churchyard , Balderton, he was one of the 31 men of the Sherwood Foresters who died during the Irish Rebellion 1916. Served for 1 year and 185 days (Home front - Ireland)
On Saturday 3rd June 1916 the triple military funeral took place at St Giles, Balderton when the three members of the 2/8th battalion, Sherwood Foresters , Pte's George William Barks, Albert James Kitchen and Albert Edward Wood were laid side by side in the churchyard which was full of family friends workmates and comrades .
