KING, George Thomas
No. 51279, Private, George Thomas KING
Aged 22
Princess Patricia's Light Infantry (Eastern Ontario Regiment)
Killed in Action on Saturday 8th May, 1915
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Born in Exning on 6th May 1893 to George and Harriett Ellen (Nelly in 1901 census) KING of 2 Windsor Terrace, Church Street, Exning. His mother's maiden name is
not yet established. 1901 census...At 2 Windsor Terrace, Exning were George [4], with his father George [33] a grocers porter, born Exning, his mother Nelly [35] born Norwich and brother Charley [10] born Exning 1911 census...The same family unit is at 2 Windsor Terrace but mother's name now is Harriet Ellen. Brother Charles Alfred is a boot repairer and George is now a Dairyman on a farm. They were still there in 1911 census and George Jun. (usually known as "Teddy") was now a dairyman on a farm. He emigrated to Canada in 1913 and was working on a farm there. George's entry in"Our Exning Heroes" reads as follows: King, G. Princess Patricia's Light Infantry. George King, the son of Mr. and Mrs. King, of Church Street, was working on a farm in Canada when war broke out, having been there for about fifteen months. He at once came back to the help of the old country, and after only a fortnight's training at Tidworth, on Salisbury Plain, went out to France in February, 1915. He was killed instantaneously, being shot in the head on May 8th in the same year. A photo of Princess Patricia was afterwards sent from Canada with a letter to his parents. As a boy he sang in S. Martin's Choir, and played cricket and football. Before going to Canada he worked for Mr. Woodbridge at the dairy farm. He was 22 years of age when he was killed. |
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Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 5166 - 32 Item Number: 499487 He enlisted in Winnipeg Manitoba on 14th December 1914. He gave his age as 22 and was 5' 8" (172.7 cm) tall with a 36" (91.4 cm)chest. Weighing 156 lbs (71 kg) with blue eyes, light brown hair, he was Church of England. A few days earlier, at Regina, Saskatchewan, he gave his age as 20 years 9 months. He embarked for UK in January 1915 The following is on Canadian Armed Forces records for his death:- His unit was at Bellewaarde Lake when he was killed. "A decision to contract the Ypres Salient resulted in The Patricias being ordered to occupy 500 yards of trenches above Bellewaarde Lake. It was here on May 8th a violent German bombardment began between Frezenberg and Bellewaarde Lake. By mid morning Frezenberg had fallen. However The Patricias stood firm. For six hours they endured one bombardment after another, saving the day and were relieved that night. The Patricias probably saved the Salient by holding fast, otherwise Ypres may have fallen. The Patricias were praised by higher commanders, saying even though they were outflanked, outgunned, outnumbered The Patricias did not allow the enemy to pass." Bellewaarde Lake is a short distance due east from Ipres, close to the Menin Road The Newmarket Journal of 29th May 1915 reported:- EXNING MAN'S GALLANT DEATH "News has, we regret to state, been received by Mr. and Mrs. George King, of Exning, that their son, Pte Geo.(Teddy) King, of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, was killed in action at the front on May 8th. Pte King completed his 22nd year on May 6th, only two days previous to his death, and was a young man of decided promise. Before emigrating to Canada he assisted his uncle, Mr. James Woodbridge, dairyman, in his business, and was thus widely known in Newmarket. He went out to Canada to follow agricultural pursuits only in March of last year, and settled in the Province of Saskatchewan. Energetic and self reliant- the sort of young fellow that is wanted in the Colonies- he quickly made friends, and would doubtless have done well had he remained in the Dominion. When the war broke out however, he, like many another gallant lad, hastened to join the colours, and enlisted in a regiment-Princess Patricia's Light Infantry- which, not so many days ago, distinguished itself greatly in circumstances which would have tried the most experienced of veterans. The magnificent fight which the brave Canadian contingent made, and the dogged determined way in which they held their ground against fearful odds will....(more to be found) |
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