WESLEY, George


No.74822, Private, George WESLEY
Aged 32


168th Company, Labour Corps
formerly No 48153, Private, The Queens (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
Accidentally killed on Tuesday, 17th September 1918


George Wesley was born in Stambourne (Halstead Q1-1886 4A:574), son of Water and Esther WESLEY (née DAWSON).
Sometimes recorded as WESTLEY

1891 census...Aged 6, he was at "nr Pound House", Dyers End, Stambourne with his father Walter WESLEY [39] farm labourer; his mother Esther [36] born Great Bardfield, Essex; brothers Alfred[12] yardboy on farm and Arthur [3]; sisters Sarah Ann [10] and Martha [6]. All except his mother were born in Stambourne

1901 census...Aged 15, a farm labourer, he was at North Street, Steeple Bumpstead with his parents, brothers Alfred (farm labourer), Arthur (errand boy) and Charlie [5] born Stambourne; sister Martha.

His mother died in 1909

1911 census...Aged 25, he was at North Street still, with his widower father (cowman) and brother Charlie (shop assistant). He married Georgina ARGENT in 1916, their address was The Crescent, Steeple Bumpstead. Harold J WESLEY born in 1916 may well be their son.


George enlisted in Colchester. His Army service record has not been found and as he died in an accident and in the Labour Corps, there is no way of saying where he died. His transfer to the Labour Corps may well have be due to a downgrading in fitness after wounds or sickness. No evidence other than his Personal Effects entry relates to an accident.



photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



George Wesley is buried in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension ,grave 1:R:6

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


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