George William Slack
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George William Slack was born in 1883 at Newark, the son of William and Rosanna Slack (née Priestley). His father William was born in Cromwell, Newark, in 1858 and his mother Rosanna was born in 1856 at Thimbleby, Lincolnshire. They were married in 1879 (reg. Horncastle) and had seven children: Lilian b. Normanton 1880 and Rose Ellen (Helen) b. 1881 (reg. J/F/M 1882), George William b. 1883, Harry b. 1885 (reg. J/F/M 1886), Albert John b. 1888, Stanley Priestley b. 8 December 1890 and Kathleen Mary birth registered 1893 (J/F/M) who were born in Newark. Lilian was baptised at Cromwell St Giles and her siblings were baptised at Newark St Leonard, George on 14 November 1883. In 1881 William, an agricultural labourer, his wife and daughter Lilian were living in Normanton, Nottinghamshire. However, by 1891 William, a labourer (glue works), and Rosanna had moved to Quibell's Cottages, Kiln Lane, Newark. They now had six children: Lilian, Rose, George, Harry, Albert and Stanley. William and Rosanna were still living at the same address when their youngest daughter, Kathleen, was born two years later. However, by 1901 William, his wife and four of their children, Lilian a dressmaker, Albert, Stanley and Kathleen, were living on Church Street, East Markham, with William's older brother, George Slack, who was head of household. Both brothers were farmers. Also in the household on the night of the census was a visitor, George Brittin, who married the eldest daughter, Lilian, the following year. The second daughter, Rose, was living in Headingly, Leeds, where she was a general domestic servant in the household of William Laycock and his family. Harry had joined the Royal Navy in October 1899 but George has not yet been traced on the census. The eldest daughter, Lilian Brittin, died in 1908 and in 1911 her only child, Winifred Mary (b. 1907), was living with her grandparents who were still at Manor Farm, Church Street, East Markham. William was listed as head of household although his brother George was still living with the family and working on the farm. Only Albert, an engine fitter, Stanley, who was also working on the farm, and Kathleen who worked in the dairy, were still living with their parents. Rose had married William Memmott in 1905 and they and their three children were living in Askham, near Retford. Harry, who had transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve in 1907, had married Emma Batty in 1908 and was living in Retford. George has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census. Rosanne died at Manor Farm in May 1916. Her husband William, may have died in 1934. George married Celestia Alvera Smith (b. Durham 1885), the daughter of William Theodore and Isabella Annie Smith, in 1916 (reg. A/M/J Newcastle upon Tyne). There are two marriage registration records: 'George W Slack' and 'George W Holt, Slack or Holt.' The CWGC record gave his widow's address as 53 Manor House Road, Jesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne; Celestia was using the surname 'Smith.' Two of George's brothers served in the Royal Navy during the war. Stanley served in Anson Battalion Royal Naval Division (Z/8236 AB RNVR) and was killed on 28 May 1917 (See 'Extra information'). Harry joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 3 October 1899 (206736) and enlisted on a 12 year continuous service engagement from 17 November 1901, his eighteenth birthday. He was advanced Ordinary Seamen on 17 November 1901 and to Able Seaman on 22 January 1903. He was discharged shore on 2 February 1907, transferring to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 3 February (Portsmouth B203) to serve to 16 November 1913. Harry either extended his RFR service and was mobilized on the outbreak of war or volunteered on the outbreak of war as he served in the RN from 2 August 1914, joining HMS Galatea in 19 November 1914. He served in HMS Galatea to 29 January 1917 and was then drafted to HMS Excellent on 30 January 1917. He was invalided (bronchitis) from the RN on 20 September 1917. Harry qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Albert, who in 1911 was working as an engine fitter, was engaged on 'war work' in Nottingham in 1916.
George William Slack served as Lieutenant Charles Thomas Holt with the 49th Training Squadron, Royal Air Force. He previously held the rank of sergeant (RFC) and according to a newspaper report had been awarded a commission shortly before his death. He and a mechanic, Serjeant Major Charles Smith, were killed in an flying accident when the Avro 504 C745 they were testing crashed at Doncaster on 28th June 1918. George was buried at Doncaster (Hyde Park) Cemetery, grave reference: MX.399. The inscription on the headstone gives his birth name and alias. Serjeant Major Smith was buried in an adjacent grave.
George's brother, Stanley Priestley, RNVR (Tyneside Z/8236 AB), served with Anson Battalion Royal Naval Division and was killed in action in France on 28 May 1917. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Retford and Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 23 May 1916: ‘Death of Mrs Slack. We regret to record the death on Sunday morning last of a highly respected parishioner, in the person of Mrs Slack, wife of Mr W Slack, of the Manor Farm, East Markham. The deceased, who suffered from heart failure, had been in failing health for some time, and although a great sufferer, had borne her affliction with remarkable fortitude, and awaited the inevitable with calmness and resignation. The deceased leaves a husband, four sons, and two daughters to mourn her loss. Three of her sons are serving the King, viz: Sergt W Slack RFC; Harry Slack HMS Galatea, Stanley Slack, HMS ---; and the other son, A [Albert] Slack, is on war work at Nottingham. With the exception of Mr Harry Slack, who was unable to obtain leave, the whole of the family were present at the end. The funeral took place on Wednesday. The vicar officiated and the chief mourners were: Mr W Slack (husband) … Sergt GW Slack (son), Mrs [Rose] Memmott (daughter), Mr AJ Slack (son), Miss [Kathleen] Slack (daughter), Mr SP Slack RND, Blandford (son) [and other family members Slack/Priestley].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) CWGC Additional information: '(Served as HOLT). Husband of Celestia Alvera Smith (formerly Slack), of 53, Manor House Rd., Jesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne.' Airmen Died in the Great War: in addition to the military information it included, 'native of Doncaster.' CWGC 412111: The mechanic who also died in the accident was 1715 Serjeant Major Charles Smith, 41st Training Squadron, Royal Air Force. He was also buried in Doncaster (Hyde Park) Cemetery, grave ref. MX.398. Charles was the son of Charles and Louisa Smith and the husband of Dorothy Witt (formerly Smith), of 47, Fawe Park Rd., Putney, London. Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 29 June 1918: ‘Two Aviators Killed at Doncaster. Sergt-Major Charles Smith, Chief Master Mechanic, and Lieut. Holt of the Royal Air Service (sic), met with a fatal accident at Doncaster yesterday. When their machine reached the earth Sergt. Major Smith was found to be dead and Lieut. Holt died on his way to the Royal Infirmary. Lieut. Holt had only just received his commission.’ ( www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Leeds Mercury, ’News in Brief,’ 29 June 1918: ‘In South Yorkshire yesterday, Chief Master Mechanic Charles Smith and Lieut. Holt of the Royal Air Service (sic), met with a fatal accident, death being almost instantaneous in both cases.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Sheffield Independent, 29 June 1918: ‘Two Airmen Killed. Accident While Flying Over a Northern Town. Whilst flying over a northern town yesterday, Lieut. Chas Thos. Holt RAF, and Chas Smith, chief master mechanic (31) of Putney, were brought down through engine trouble and both were killed.’ ( www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Yorkshire Evening Post, 29 June 1918: ‘Both Splendid Fellows. At an inquest in Yorkshire to-day on the bodies of Lieut. Charles T Holt (34) and Chief Master Mechanic Charles Smith (31), Royal Air Force, who were killed in an aeroplane accident, Major Pryor said he wished to say publicly that both the lieutenant and Smith were splendid fellows, and were an example to all in the force.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Sheffield Daily Telegraph, ‘News in Brief’, 1 July 1918: ‘At an inquest in a Yorkshire town on Saturday on Lieutenant Charles Thomas Holt RAF (34) and Charles Smith (31) chief master mechanic, who were killed by their aeroplane nose-diving, a verdict of ‘Accidental death’ was returned.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 1 July 1918: ‘The Double Flying Accident at Doncaster. At Doncaster on Saturday, Mr JG Nicholson, Deputy Coroner, held an inquest on Lieut. Thomas Charles Holt (31) and Chief Master Mechanic Charles Smith (34), of the Royal Air Service (sic). The evidence showed that at about noon on Friday, Chief Master Mechanic Smith was testing a machine, and took it up for a flight, Lieut. Holt acting as pilot. At an altitude of 200 feet something went wrong with the engine. The pilot was returning to earth when, at an altitude of about 100 feet, the machine nose-dived. Smith was killed on the spot, and Holt died on his way to Sheffield Infirmary. Major Prior said he was convinced after a careful examination, there was no fault in the machine. He said he would like to take that opportunity of stating publicly how highly respected the two men were by all their comrades. They were examples to all in the whole-hearted way in which they worked and their unfailing devotion to duty. The jury returned a verdict of ‘Accidental death.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Journal, 'News in Brief,' 1 July 1918; 'At an inquest today at Doncaster on Saturday on Lieut. Charles Thomas Holt and Chief Master-Mechanic Charles Smith, both of the Royal Air Force, a verdict of 'Accidental death' was returned. They were testing an aeroplane at a height of 200ft. and crashed to the ground.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Blyth News, 1 July 1918: 'Lives Lost in Test Flight. An inquest was held on Lieutenant Chas. Thomas Holt (34) and Charles Smith (31), master mechanic, of the Royal Air Force, at a Yorkshire town on Saturday. They were testing a machine, and had only ascended to a height of 200ft. When, though a failing engine, they trned back. The altitude at which they were flying was not sufficient to enable the pilot to regain cotrol of the machine, which nose dieved to the ground, and both men were killed. The jury returned a verdict of 'Accidental death.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
