No.PW/6817, Private, George COOTES
Aged 38
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George Cootes was born in Dullingham in 1879 (Newmarket Q4-1879 3B:517), baptised in Dullingham on 5th October 1879, son of Lewis and Elizabeth COOTES
(née HOBBS). In both records they are shown as COATES. 1881 census...Aged 1, he was at The Street, Dullingham, with his father Louis COOTES [27] farm labourer; his mother Elizabeth [26]; and sister Annie [6]. All were born in Dullingham. 1891 census...Aged 11 he was in the "Village" Dullingham, with his mother, sister Ada [9] and brother Frederick [4]. both born in Dullingham. His father was a groom at Dullingham House and presumably on duty on the census night. 1901 census...Aged 21, a builder's labourer, he was in Dullingham with his mother and brother Frederick (farm labourer) His father was again at Dullingham House. He died in 1905. On 24th April 1910, in Dullingham, banns were called for his marriage to Elizabeth Jane PEACOCK [24-6-1873] (of Shipbourne, Kent). 1911 census...Aged 32, he was with his wife at Station Road, Dullingham. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket. On 9th April 1918 the 20th Middlesex were in Armentières area. When the German "Kaiserschlacht" was seen to have failed to split the French from the British, Ludendorff switched his attention to Flanders and initiated a second offensive, "Georgette". One aim now was to cross the River Lys just south of Armentières as a first step in isolating Ypres and heading via Hazebrouck for the Channel coast. The Middlesex Regiment, amongst others, suffered heavy losses and the Germans managed to cross the river in several places. This led to General Haig's "backs to the wall" message and the eventual halting of the German advance. The Middlesex losses were mainly in the 21st Battalion, but the 20th had 14 killed that day, only two with identified graves. |
photo: Rodney Gibson
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