PALEY, George


Major, George PALEY
Aged 42


Rifle Brigade
Killed in Action on Saturday 31st October 1914


He was an Old Contemptible


George Paley was born in Great Barton on 27th January 1872 (Thingoe Q1-1872 4A:526) son of William Victor and Augusta Harriet PALEY (née NEPEAN).

1881 census... Aged 9, George was at The Dell, Freckenham with his father William V. [40] no occupation given, born Freckenham, his mother [40] born Fulham, and sister Jane C.V. [10] born in London.

1891 census... Aged 19 he was an gentleman cadet R.M.C, at Brook House, Horringer, with his parents and sister Jane. 1901 census... Aged 29 he was a Captain in the Rifle Brigade, staying at the Hotel Cecil in the Strand. His father was at The Dell in Freckenham, his mother and sister were at Brook House, Horringer.

On 5th July 1902 at St George, Hanover Square,London, he married Rose Mildred Bloomfield LINTON
They had one son, who became Maj. Genl. Sir Alexander George Victor Paley K.B.E., C.B., D.S.O., Soldier, born 30 April 1903 in Easthampstead, Berkshire, England Died 10 April 1976 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

1911 census... Aged 39 He was with his wife and son in Canada..enquiries ongoing


From "Bond of Sacrifice" we have:- "MAJOR GEORGE PALEY, p.s.c.,{passed Staff College } 1st BATTALION. THE RIFLE BRIGADE THE PRINCE CONSORTS OWN), who was killed in action on the 31st October, 1914, was the only son of Mr. William Victor Paley, of Freckenham House, Soham, by his marriage with the daughter of Canon Nepean, Chaplain-in-Ordinary to her late Majesty Queen Victoria.
He was born on the 27th January, 1872, and joined the Rifle Brigade in March, 1892, becoming Lieutenant in April. 1894, and Captain in December,1898. He took part in the Nile Expedition, 1898, being present at the Battle of Khartoum, for which he received the British medal and the Egyptian medal with clasp. He also served in the South African War. taking part in the defence of Ladysmith, including the sortie of the 10th December, 1899, in which he was dangerously wounded . He was twice mentioned in despatches (“ London Gazette,” 8th February and 10th September, 1901), and received the Queen’s medal with clasp.
From February to September, 1902. he was A.D.C. (temporary) to the General Officer Commanding, Woolwich District, in 1903 qualified as an Interpreter in French , and in December, 1904, passed the final examination of the Staff College. From February. 1905, to September.1906, he was Staff Captain and General Staff Officer (3rd Grade) at the headquarters of the Army, and from September, 1908, to February,1909, D.A.Q.M.G. and General Staff Officer (2nd Grade), headquarters : while he was also specially employed there in February and March, 1909.
From October, 1909, to October, 1913, he was Director of Operations and Staff Duties (General Staff Officer, 2nd Grade), Canadian Militia.
On the 5th August, 1914, he was appointed General Staff Officer (2nd Grade), and was serving in that capacity when killed. He was mentioned for his services in Sir John French’s Despatch of the 8th October, 1914."

He was wounded on 11th December 1899 at Colenso, South Africa while a Captain of the Rifle Brigade in the Natal Field Force and his Queen's South Africa medal has the Ladysmith clasp.

Major Paley was killed in an explosion at Hooge Chateau on 31 October 1914. The Chateau had been Haig's Advanced Headquarters, but he moved out to accommodate General Monro, commander of the second division. General Monro had his office in an annexe attached to the main building. On 31 October, he was holding a meeting with several officers, when at 1:15 in the afternoon, two shells made a direct hit on the annexe. Major George Paley was killed instantly, along with 5 other officers.






photo:- Rodney Gibson



George Paley is buried in Ypres Town Cemetery Extension, Belgium grave 3:AA:3

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


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