Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Tarratt, a shoe trade clicker, born 1864 in Leics., and his wife Harriett Tarratt (nee Mawby, married in the 4th quarter of 1887 in the Leicester district), born 1868 in St. Margaret’s, Leicester. George Alfred was born in the 2nd quarter of 1898 in Bruntingthorpe, Leics., he had one sibling, a brother Charles William, born 1896 in Bruntingthorpe, Leics. George’s father died in the 3rd quarter of 1901 aged 37 in the Lutterworth, Leics. district. In April 1911 George was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Peatling Parva, Leics., together with his step father Arthur Chown, a farm labourer, born 1872 in Lutterworth, Leics., and his mother (re-married in the 2nd quarter of 1905 in the Lutterworth, Leics. district), and his brother Charles, an agricultural labourer, also residing with the family was George’s maternal grandfather, William Mawby, a shoe maker and repairer, born 1843 in Lutterworth, Leics. George enlisted into the Army as a Special Reservist for an engagement of 6 years on the 11th August 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Bruntingthorpe, Leics., and his age as 17 years and 92 days, and his trade or calling as labourer. He gave his mother, Harriett Chown of Stratto Coppice, Desford, Leics., and his bother, Chas. W. Tarratt of the same address as his next of kin. His medical examination records that he was 5 foot 3½ inches in height, he weighed 112 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 30 and 32 inches. His physical development was described as good. His record of service provides the following details; He joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment for Recruits Training as a Private, service number 11502 on the 11/8/14. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 14/8/14. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 19/3/15. He embarked from Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 19/3/15. He was reported missing after operations in the field on the 15/5/15. Later confirmed as killed in action, place not stated on the 15/5/15. A summary of his service was; Home Service, 11/8/14 – 18/3/15, 220 days. Expeditionary Force, France, 19/3/15 – 15/5/15, 58 days. Total service 278 days. The following information was provided on the 7th May 1919 by George’s mother Harriett, and was witnessed by W. W. Thomas, a Clerk in Holy Orders of The Rectory, Desford, Leics., on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family). Father of soldier, dead. Mother of soldier, Mrs Harriett Chown, age 51 of Industrial School Cottages, Desford, Leicestershire. Full blood brothers of soldier, Charles William Tarratt, age 23 of Jasper, Alberta, Canada. Full blood sisters of soldier, none. George was awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory and British Medals.
The War Diary for today records. Battn rested during the day in LANSDOWNE POST. Moved off at 8.00pm. Battn took over front line from which the assault was to be made and by 9.30pm Coy’s were in position. Telephonic communication established with left and right and communication by officers ascertained between men on left and 2nd Div on my right. Eleven bridges were placed over the stream which runs parallel to position and about 20 to 30 yards in front of it, there with the existing four bridges made a total of 15 on the Battn front. It was not possible to place more bridges in position as the stream had been widened at many points by big shell holes, and the trunks and branches of fallen trees also blocked any other places where bridges might have been put. This getting of the bridges into position was an operation of great difficulty on account of the constant flares and bursts of fire from the enemy’s parapet. It was skilfully and quietly done with only two or three casualties. At 10.45pm two platoons were crossed over to the far side of the stream. Four more platoons were formed up ready, in the trenches to go forward and support the leading platoons. The remaining two Coy’s were formed up lying down behind the parados in close column of platoons ready to advance. Thus the whole Battn was got into its final position in order of attack and as close up as possible. This final formation was complete by 11.20pm and thanks to the able leading of Coy Commanders the movement was carried out in perfect order, and with no noise. At 11.30pm the leading platoons went forward to the assault closely supported by the second line. The lines in rear went forward to take up the positions vacated by the leading line. At the same time, or if anything some seconds before 11.30pm the enemy opened a very heavy fire with rifles and machine guns. A few minutes afterwards trench mortars and shrapnel searched the stream and the ground on both sides of it. The enemy threw from their parapet some kind of fire grenade which burst into fire on impact with the ground, and these with continuous flames of all colours, literally turned night into day. The leading men pushed on but only a few were able to reach near the enemy’s parapet. Each succeeding line came under a very heavy fire, the bridges got so blocked and the obstacles caused by fallen trees and shell holes so impeded movement that effective support could not be given. Thus the impetus of the assault was broken before it really got a proper start. The enemy’s parapet was fully manned and the accuracy and intensity may be understood from the fact that 8 officers, Platoon Commanders were killed or wounded. About 12 midnight reports were received from the front that our attack could not reach the German line, orders were then given to withdraw to our own trenches.
On Friday July 23rd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR.” – The following men on the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment are reported from the Base under date 28th June to be missing:- Arnold, 7130, Private E. Brockington, 6628, Private F. Clarke, 16385, Private T. Coles, 9219, Lance-Corpl. W. Cook, 15799, Private T. Easton, 11565, Private R. Fletcher, 12850, Private L. Grant, 9667, Private E. Holmes, 12458, Corporal W. Jarman 8500, Private J. Jarman, 7723, Private W. Jones, 8524, Private R. Langham, 12503, Private F. Litchfield, 7354, Private G. Morris, 7004, Private J. Pilkington, 12687, Private J. Poulton, 11973, Private G. H. Pullen, 9912, Private W. Slater, 9851, Private W. Stokes, 9843, Private W. Tarrett, 11502, Private G. Timson 9452, Private F. Taylor, 12020, Private A. E. Wood, 7368, Private H. Woodford, 6469, Private W.