Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Pollard, a shoe trade finisher, born on the 5th March 1860 in Anstey, Leicestershire and baptised on the 11th March 1860 in St. Mary’s Church, Anstey (son of Frederick Pollard, 1839-1867 and Anne Wright, 1840-1869) and his wife Elizabeth Ann Pollard (nee Rushin, married on the 22nd September 1879 in St. Mary’s Church, Anstey), a shoe trade machinist, born in the April quarter of 1863 in Anstey and baptised on the 24th May 1863 in St. Mary’s Church, Anstey (daughter of Edward Gamble Rushin, 1835 and Ann Davie, 1838). George’s mother died, aged 35 in the January quarter of 1899 in the Leicester district. George Harry was born in the April quarter of 1895 in Anstey, his siblings were, Frederick, a boot trade clicker, born on the 2nd January 1885 and baptised on the 8th February 1885 in St. Mary’s Church, Anstey, William Amos, a boot trade finisher, born on the 2nd November 1887 and baptised on the 2nd October 1887 in St. Mary’s Church, Anstey, Ann, born on the 26th January 1889, Edward Albert, born on the 2nd May 1890, Samuel Rushin, born in the April quarter of 1892 and Jim, born on the 24th October 1896, all his siblings were born in Anstey, also residing with the family was George’s widowed maternal grandmother, Ann Rushin, a house keeper, born 1838 in Anstey, his uncle, Wilfrid Brotherhood, a boot trade finisher, born on the 26th September 1879 in Markfield, Leicestershire, his maternal aunt, Eliza Brotherhood (nee Rushin, married in the July quarter of 1900 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), a boot trade fitter, born on the 19th July 1881 in Anstey and his cousin, Wilfrid Brotherhood, born on the 3rd June 1901 in Anstey, in March 1901 the family home was at Gladstone Street, Anstey. In April 1911 George was employed as a boot trade finisher and was residing in the family home at Gladstone Street, Anstey, together with his father, a boot trade finisher, his stepmother Thirza Ellen Pollard (nee Gunby, married in the October quarter of 1901 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), born in the October quarter of 1875 in Leicester (daughter of William Gunby, 1851 and Elizabeth Clarke, 1853) and siblings, Edward, a boot trade finisher, Amy, a boot fitter, Samuel, a boot trade finisher and Jim, a boot trade clicker. George also had the following older siblings, Elizabeth Ann, born in the April quarter of 1882 in Anstey and who died aged 2 years in June 1884, and was interred in Anstey Cemetery on the 6th June and Polly, born in the January quarter of 1883 in Anstey and baptised on the 8th February 1885 in St. Mary’s Church, Anstey and who died aged 4 years in April 1887 and was interred on the 10th April in Anstey Cemetery, there was also an unnamed male child who was still born in the January quarter of 1881 in Anstey and was interred in Anstey Cemetery. George’s older brother, William Amos fell in action in March 1918.
George enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 14th May 1912 in Anstey, and was allotted the regimental service number 1585. He gave his place of birth as Anstey, Leicestershire and age as 17 years 1 month. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as boots, presently in the employ of Messrs. Pollard, Boyes and Pollard, Anstey. He gave his present address as High Street, Anstey.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 12th April 1912 and recorded his birthplace as Anstey, Leicester, declared age as 17 years 30 days, trade or occupation as boots, that he was 5-feet 6½ inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 29½ and 33 inches, his vision was described as good his physical development was described as fair. Enlisted at Leicester on the 14th May 1912. Joined on enlistment 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt.
His medical inspection record gave his full name as George Harry Pollard, his apparent age as 17 years 1 month, his height as 5-foot 6¾ inches, his chest measurement as 30½ inches to 33 inches, his vision as good and his physical development as fair.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force. Date 12th April 1912. Place Anstey.
He gave his next of kin as his father, William Pollard, mother, Nellie Pollard, High Street, Anstey, Gladstone Street, Anstey, brother Fred Pollard, Leicester, brother William Pollard, Anstey, sister Annie Pollard, Glenfield.
He gave his religion as Wesleyan.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 14/5/12.
Posted. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 14/5/12.
Attended. Annual training, Aberystwyth. 4/8/12 – 11/8/12.
Attended. Annual training, Grantham. 3/8/13 – 10/8/13.
Embodied service commenced. 4/8/14.
Embarked. With the 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 1/3/15.
Disembarked. At Le Havre. 2/3/15.
Missing in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Reported. Killed in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Buried by Officer Commanding 4th Bn. Grenadier Guards, Graves Registration Commission, List No. 10233.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 14/5/12 – 1/3/15. 2 years 292 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 2/3/15 – 13/10/15. 226 days.
Total Service. 3 years 153 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Saturday, December 4th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – Leicestershire and the War. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Mr. Wm. Pollard, Gladstone-street, Anstey, has received official notice that his son, GEORGE HARRY, 4th Leicester’s, was killed in action on October 13th. Private Pollard joined the Leicester’s in 1912. He was reported missing immediately after the engagement.
On Thursday, December 9th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – LEICESTER’S KILLED AND MISSING. (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. G. H. POLLARD, Leicestershire Territorials, killed on Oct. 13th. His parents reside at Anstey.