George first appeared on a census in 1901. He was living with his family in Worthenbury, Flintshire. Head of the household was George Humphreys snr aged 26 and a ‘waggoner on farm’. His wife was Mary Humphreys also 26, born in Coedpoeth. Their children had all been born in Worthenbury- Harry 5, George 4, Harold 3 and Philip H 1.
Ten years later in the 1911 census the family was living at The Lakes. Bangor on Dee. George snr was 38 and was an Estate labourer. His wife of 18 years Mary Humphreys was 37. The children listed were George 14, Harold 13, Philip 11 and Maud was 4. Mary’s father, Richard Pritchard a 75 year old widower was living with them. He was a ‘retired collier with a pension’. The form tells us that Mary had given birth to 6 children but only 4 were alive. It also tells us that they lived in 3 rooms.
George’s Army Service Records exists and are accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk They tell us that he attested on 10th August 1914 at Eccleston Camp, Cheshire. He was 18 years and 6 months old. His trade /calling was ‘gardener’. He was 5ft 41/2 ins tall, had a fair complexion, grey eyes, brown hair, was Cof E and considered to be ‘fit’.
He served ‘at home’ from 20th August 1914 to 21st September 1916.
He left for France on 22nd September 1916 from Southampton and arrived in Rouen on the 23rd September 1916.
He was transferred to the Cheshire Regiment on 3rd October 1916 and given his new number.
He spent a long period (53 days) from 6th March 1917, being treated in hospitals both in France and in the UK. There are references to hospitals on the base, at Etaples and in Chelsea in London. He was being treated for ICT in his left knee . (It seems this means inflammation of the connective tissue of the knee.). It isn’t clear in his records whether this was due to a wound received or if it was due to a stress type injury but his Flintshire index card gives us more information (see below). He rejoined his regiment on the 11th June 1917.
He was Killed in Action sometime between 10th and 20th April. His records contain the chilling words, ‘Death accepted for official purposes. Date assumed on or since 20th April 1918’. So nobody really knew what happened to him.
There is correspondence between Mr George Humphreys of The Lakes, Bangor on Dee, Flintshire and the army regarding the receipt of George’s medals, commemorative plaque and scroll. His mother, Mary at the same address was named as the person who should have any of his personal possessions.
There is a relatives form in the records that lists his family. His father George, mother Mary, brothers Harold 22 and Philip 21. It says he had no sisters.
There is an index card for George in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. It confirms the regimental details above and adds that he was ‘Colonel’s runner’. It says he spent time in hospital in Rouen and Birkenhead after being wounded on 26th February 1917.
His brother Harry was also killed in the war and was buried in the cemetery at Tyne Cot – not too far from where George is named on the Memorial. He has his own page on this website.
