PLEDGER, George William


No.856231, Private, George William PLEDGER
Aged 29


44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry
Killed in Action on Saturday, 10th August 1918


George William Pledger was born in Hundon on 5th January 1889 (Risbridge Q1-1889 4A:651), baptised in Hundon All Saints on 16th June 1889, son of Henry and Emma PLEDGER (née ROWLINSON).

1891 census...Aged 2, he was at Clock Hall Farm, Hundon with his father Henry PLEDGER [28] farm labourer; his mother Emma [26] born Barnardiston; sister Minnie [6 months]. All except his mother were born in Hundon.

In October 1893 he was admitted to Hundon Board School, leaving on 14th February 1902.

1901 census...Aged 12, he was at Steeplechase, Hundon with his parents (father now horsekeeper); sisters Minnie, Ethel [6] and May [3], brothers Harry [9] and an un-named brother [less than 1 month]. The newcomers all born in Hundon.

1911 census...He has not been found in the 1911 census His parents were at Clock Hall Lane, Hundon with his brothers Fred [10], Ernest [4] and Sidney [1]; sisters Mary [8] and Florrie [6]. All Hundon born.

He may well be the George Pledger, born 1889, who sailed from Liverpool to St.John, New Brunswick on 4th March 1914, (arriving 12th March) on the SS "Victorian".


Canadian Army records have his number as 865231. RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 7866 - 8 Item Number: 581247

He enlisted in Brandon, Manitoba on 15th March 1916, giving his date of birth as 5th January 1889, in Hundon, Suffolk, living in Oxbow, Saskatchewan, a farmer. His next of kin was his father Henry in Hundon. He was 5 feet 8 inches (172.7 cm) tall, chest 37" to 40 (94 to 101.6 cm), grey eyes and light brown hair, Church of England. His full service records have not yet been digitised.

Part of the Canadian 4th Division, in a rapidly moving phase of the war, the 44th battalion, Canadian Infantry were part of the spearhead of the attack from the area of Le Quesnel towards Chilly. George was involved in the attack on German positions from Warvillers to Fouquescourt when he was hit in the heart by a machine gun bullet and died instantly.



George was found here, identified by his disc and re-interred in 1920




photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



George Pledger is buried in Fouquescourt British Cemetery, grave 2:B:1

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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