No. 19087, Private, George Taft CARMAN
Aged 22
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Born Islington, London, registered Islington Q4-1894 [1B:361]. 1901 census...Aged 7, he was living at High Street, Lakenheath with his grandfather- Simon CARMAN [71] farm labourer born Lakenheath and his grandmother Sarah Ann [60] born Mildenhall. His mother was Sophia Baker CARMAN [27], Simon's daughter, who married George TAFT [27] (a police constable born Cookham) in Islington on 18th April 1896 and at the census was living with George and their 2 daughters Helen [4] and May [10 months] at 15 Edwards Cottages, Islington. 1911 census...Aged 16, a farm labourer, he was living at Springhall, Lakenheath with his grandparents Simon and Sarah CARMAN. His mother and stepfather ( now a police pensioner) were living in The Street, High Roding, Dunmow, Essex with daughter May and a son Percy [9]. |
click here to go http://www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/2ndbn/2ndbtn1916diary.html
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"Soldiers Died" has him killed in action. His medal index card has died of wounds. This begs the question of having no known grave, unless his
original grave was later destroyed. " 16 Jun 1916 - front line near Maricourt At 8.30 p.m. the Battalion left BRAY for Trenches (Z.1 Subsector) to relieve the 16th Bn.Manchester Regt, 90th Brigade. The relief was completed by 1.15 a.m. on 17th. Battalion held the line from A/16.b.2.0. (Right Flank) to A/9.d.3.5 (Left Flank) with the French (8th Company, 156th Regiment) on our RIGHT and the 2nd Bn.Royal Scots Fusiliers on our LEFT. Reference Trench Map MAUREPAS, 1/20,000. DISPOSITIONS: - LEFT "A" Coy. RIGHT "D" Coy. SUPPORT "B" Coy. RESERVE "C" Coy. Very quiet during relief. Casualties 1 O.R. wounded and remaining at duty. Battalion Headquarters vicinity of CHATEAU." That seems to indicate that George was not killed in action on 16th June and it appears the Battalion had had few casualties for some time before. Unless his Army records are found it is unlikely we can find when or where he was wounded. |
photo: Rodney Gibson
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