No.7550, Lance Corporal, George BRANCH
Aged 25
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George Branch was born in Brandon (Thetford Q3-1889 4B:374), son of Henry and Hannah BRANCH (née HEARN ?). 1891 census...Aged 1, he was at George Street, Brandon with his father Henry BRANCH [36] labourer; his mother Hannah [34] born Walsingham; brothers Herbert [12], Willie [8] and Frederick [6]; sisters Anna [10] and Lizzie [4]. All except his mother were born in Brandon. 1901 census...Aged 13, scholar, he was still at George Street, Brandon with his parents; brothers Herbert and Fred (both labourers); sisters Annie, Elizabeth and Ada [6] born Brandon. 1911 census...Aged 23, single, a private in the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, he was at Malplaquet Barracks, Churchill House, Marlborough Line, Aldershot. His sister Ada [6] was at 3 Hyndman Place, Peckham with her aunt, widow Ann WRIGHT [50] born Walsingham, and 4 of her adult children. This address was later that given by George as his residence, presumably Ann was the sister of his mother The pension card has Emily at 3 Hyndman Place, Old Kent Rod SE with their son George Henry (b.19-3-1915) He married Emily Nina WRIGHT (b.17-12-1884) (Camberwell Q2-1912 1D:1425) who later married Harry J.BRUSHWOOD. (Camberwell Q4-1916 1D:1441) |
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No Army records have been found of his first period in the Norfolk Regiment. He would have enlisted for a total of 12 years, but how many years in the
colours and how many in the Reserves is not known. He was certainly keen on soldiering since on 6th June 1914 he enlisted in London in the Territorials,
the 6th Battalion, City of London Rifles. He gave his age as 27, place of birth Brandon, residence 3 Hyndman Place, Old Kent Road, London, a musician,
working for the Metropolitan Gas Company, 5 feet 9 inches (175.3 cm)tall, chest 31" to 34" (38.7 to 86.4 cm). His wife is entered as what looks to Misa, but could be Nina. He
signed for 4 years as a Territorial but at his own request, was discharged on 4th August 1914, which meant he was free to enlist again in the Norfolk
Regiment in Bury St.Edmunds ("Soldiers Died") which can be assumed to be the 1st day of the war, 5th August 1914.
The History of the Norfolk Regiment by F.Loraine Petre OBE is the source for the following:- The 1st Norfolks were in Belfast on 4th August 1914, and completed mobilisation by 19th and were embarked on 14th. On 17th the battalion entrained for Le Cateau, then over the next two days they marched to Dour and Bois de Bossu in support of 13th and 14th Brigades along the Mons-Condé Canal, being on the extreme left of 5th Division and received their first shelling but no casualties on 23rd. The first day of The Battle of Mons they were not involved, however their turn came of the 24th. They were relieved in the trenches on the railway running parallel with the canal by the 1st Suffolks at 04:30. Marching southward to Dour in division Reserve at 11:00 the 13th and 14th brigades began their retreat. When it became obvious at 11:45 that the retreat was threatened, the cavalry were called upon to return to protect their left flank. The 1st Norfolk and 1st Cheshire with 19th Hussars and 119th Battery attempted a counter attack northward, but were halted 1,000 yards short of Elouges. About 12;30 9th Lancers and some of the 4th Dragoon Guards charged north from Audregnies but were forced to retire to a sunken road, occupied by 1st Norfolk. This delayed the Germans but the enemy artillery of 7 batteries covered the German attack and around 14:30 a retreat was ordered. One platoon of Norfolks failed to receive the order and remained with the 1st Cheshires who also never received the order, In consequence they were cut off, and when their ammunition ran out, they were forced to surrender. The Norfolk had suffered 4 officers killed, 4 wounded and 250 other ranks either killed, wounded or missing. About 100 of the wounded had to be left in Elouges. "Brandon at War" website tells us that a chum of his, Drummer S Holmes, who was in Saltau, a German POW camp, and had seen one of the letters from Mrs Branch, and replied to her. Her told her that he had seen George actually shot at Mons on August 24th, having been shot through the brain. He died instantaneously. That was about the same time as the Army informed his widow that George's death was officially presumed on 24th August 1914. The reason for the inscription "Known to be buried near this spot" on George's headstone was due to the fact that the Commonwealth War Grave Commission was not even thought of at the time. Rudimentary records were made of burials, haphazard grave markers used. Then many graves were destroyed in later fighting, hence some form of special memorial was required to commemorate the fallen whose whereabouts was almost known but not the precise spot. click here to go to the Brandon at War website for more information
photo: www.peterswar.net His headstone is inscribed "buried near this spot" click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
