No.21029, Corporal, George SIZER [M.i.D]
Aged 22
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George Sizer was born in Soham on 26th February 1896, (Newmarket Q2-1896 3B:530), baptised in Soham on 1st April 1896, son of William and Mary
SIZER (née HALTER) of East Fen Common, Soham.
1901 census...Aged 5, he was at East Fen Common, Soham with his father William SIZER [53] farm labourer; his mother Mary [45] born Ely; brothers Robert [19] farm labourer, Charles [15] farm labourer, Jack [13] farm labourer, Arthur [12], Harry [10] and Fred [6]; sister Kate [17]. All except his mother were born in Soham. 1911 census...Aged 15, a farm labourer, he was at Brook Dam, Soham with his parents and brother Arthur, Harry and Fred. All the men were farm labourers. He married Violet Frances MOSS [4-4-1895] on 17th November 1915 at Newmarket Registrars Office. His Army records show a daughter Yvonne Margaret born 16th May 1916 in Soham. but she was later deleted by Army as being child (née Hitchins) of another man, F Sizer 21028 . His widow's address was c/o Mrs W BAILEY, Qua Fen Common but changed to Pump Lane, Soham.. |
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He enlisted in Ely for the Bedfordshire Regiment 3rd Battalion Special Reserve on 25th November 1913, giving his age as 18 years 274 days,{he added a year] a farm labourer
born in Soham. He was 5 feet 7 inches (170.2 cm) tall, weighed 120 lbs (54.4 kg), chest 34" to 36" (86.4 to 91.4 cm) blue eyes, brown hair, Baptist. References from Ellis Steadman, bootmaker.
He attended a special course of training from 25th November 1913 to 24th April 1914 and was mobilised on 8th August 1914 and posted to 2nd battalion on 22nd September,and to the Depot on the 29th September 1915. twice awarded stoppages of pay that year for absence Posted to 2nd battalion Border regiment as Private on 1st January 1916, he was promoted to unpaid lance corporal on 6th May and to Lance Corporal on 15th June 1916. At depot on 21st January 1917 he was Lance Corporal and posted to the 3rd battalion 17th March and to paid Corporal on 26th March. Promoted to vice Sergeant 28th October 1916. Embarked for BEF 4th October 1914. He was not awarded the clasp to his 1914 Star which may well be due to not claiming it,since it was only instituted after the war. Gun shot wound left leg 16th June 1915 to 21st Field Ambulance, returned to duty next day. Another wound, gun shot to right arm on 26th September, admitted to 4th Stationary Hospital (Versailles) and evacuated to England on 27th September 1915. He rejoined the battalion on 18th January 1916. Wounded again, shell wound to right leg, on 19th January 1917, admitted to 23rd Field Ambulance and then 11 C.C.S.(Varennes), he was taken to 22 General Hospital at Camieres and evacuated to England on 19th January 1917 per HMHS "Carisbrook Castle". He was at 2nd West General Hospital in Manchester on 29th January 1917. Convicted by Regimental Courts Martial on 2nd January 1917 and reduced to the ranks for absenting himself without leave from 27th to 28th December 1917. Posted back to duty in 2nd January 1918, he returned to the BEF and 3rd Borders, embarking at Folkestone 11 January 1918, to depot at Etaples on 12th. He joined 11th (Lonsdale) Battalion, Border Regiment on 2nd February 1918. He was on official leave to UK 6th to 15th March 1917 and was then admitted to 36 C.C.S (Rousbrugge) with appendicitis on 18th March 1918. ( then two entries too faint to read). Posted to 5th Border Regiment on amalgamation on 9th May 1918 and promoted to Corporal on 10th May 1918, and was killed in action on 26th June 1916. a summary of his movements:- Home 25-11-13 to 3-10-14.................France 4-10-14 to 28-9-15....................Home 29-9-15 to 31-12-15 France 1-1-16 to 20-1-17.................Home 21-1-17 to 10-1-18 .....................B.E.F.11-1-18 to 26-6-1896 His disciplinary record was eventful, seemingly he was prone to taking "unofficial leave", usually prior to overseas posting, but always returning voluntarily. He was however Mentioned in Despatches on 7th April 1918 (Gazetted 24th May 1918). His personal effects were sent to Mrs V.F.Sizer at Qua Fen Common, Soham on 21st October 1918, and consisted of photos, card, cigarette case, key, pencil case, cap badge, 2 discs and a black cat mascot. His widow was awarded 13/9 (68p) a week pension for herself.
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