George Edward Easom
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George Edward Easom born Nottingham, 1892 (April/May/June quarter). In the 1901 census - living at 28 Cambridge Street Daybrook, was George, 7 years, born Old Radford, son of William b1862 and Annie Easom b1860 also siblings John, b1888, William b1891, Arthur b1897 Elizabeth b1889 and Henry b1890 In the 1911 census his parents were living at 31 Cambridge Street, Radford and were shown as William Easom 49 yrs a general labourer, living with his wife Annie 48 yrs and their son Arthur 14 yrs an errand boy. In the same 1911 census George Easom was living at Taylors Yard, Chapel Street, Radford - he stated that he was 19 yrs of age and a collier loader, living with Eliza Easom (Raynor crossed through and over-written as Easom) 18 yrs a mill hand. He stated they had been married for one year and had no children. George Edward married Eliza Ann Raynor (born 13th March 1894) at Nottingham in 1914. His wife brought a child to the marriage, Ivy May Raynor, born 29th February 1912. They lived at 2 New Yard, Chapel Street, Radford, Nottingham, and had two sons, John George Easom born 26th August 1914 and George Edward Easom born 2nd July 1916. Following his death his widow Eliza Ann was awarded a pension of 22 shillings and 11 pence a week which commenced on 28th May 1915.
Private George Edward Easom originally enlisted on 19th August 1914 at Nottingham. He gave his age as 22 yrs and 114 days and his address as 2 New Yard, Chapel Street, Radford. His next of kin was his wife Eliza Ann of the same address. He stated he was a coal miner loader. He was allocated the service number 10050 and posted to the Lincolnshire Regiment but was discharged from the Army on 19th October 1914 as being not likely to become an efficient soldier. He re enlisted or was called up and entered theatre after January 1st 1916. He is not recorded in the Notts and Derby Medal Roll, which may mean he served prior to 1916 in another regiment. War battalion diary for 26 October 1916: "Details left out of trenches proceeded to 'D' Camp situated near Trones Wood. According to Corps orders 25% of officers were left out as it seemed probable that the Battalion was going into action. 'B' and 'C' companies arrived in front line just before dawn and took over from Royal Irish Rifles, in Cloudy and Misty trenches. Our heavy guns shelled Zenith trench all day. We had to evacuate the new Rifle Brigade sap on account of our shelling and part of Cloudy Trench. Germans again seen running from shell hole to shell hole and gave our rifles and Lewis Guns good targets of which they took full advantage. A 'B' company ration party was caught by enemy retaliation suffering 10 casualties. The C.O. decided to attempt a raid on Zenith trench at 10 pm., and applied for permission to carry this out. Permission however did not reach the Battalion until after the chosen zero time and consequently the raid was put off." It is likely that the 'enemy retaliation' was heavy artillery as 10 men were killed on the day and all are commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. George is one of these men.
Soldiers Died in the Great War - Easom George E, enlisted Nottingham, abode New Radford Nottingham, 70755, Private, killed in action, France and Flanders, 26/10/1916. In memoriam published 26th October 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “EASOM. — In memory of loving husband, Private George Easom, killed by shell October 26th, 1916. We never knew what pain he had, we never saw him die; only know he passed away without a last good-bye. — His loving wife and two children, mother, father. “EASOM.—In memory our dear brother, Private George Earom, Sherwoods. Duty called; he was there to do his bit and take his share. His bean was good, his spirit brave; his rating place a soldier's grave.— Arthur (in France), Willie (hospital).” Above in memoriam are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
