Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Calcraft an ironstone labourer, born 1856 in Muston, Leics., and his wife Elizabeth, born 1866 in Bottesford, Leics. George Alfred was born in Eastwood, Notts., his siblings were, James G., born 1886 and Charles W., born 1888, the latter two siblings were both born in Netherfield, Notts., Sarah H., born 1891 in Bottesford, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at 4, Spaltons Row, Grantham Road, Bottesford, Leics. In April 1911 George was serving as an Able Bodied Seaman with the Royal Navy and was residing at the Royal Sailor’s Rest, 172 – 174, Commercial Road, Portsmouth, Hants. George enlisted into the Royal Navy to serve a 12 year engagement on the 16st December 1899, his reckonable service to commence on the 26th March 1900, and was allocated the service number 207458 in Portsmouth, Hants. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 5 inches in height, his hair colour was light brown with grey eyes, his complexion was described as fresh, he gave his trade or calling as farm labourer. He was re-examined on the 16th June 1900 and recorded as 5 foot 7 inches in height. His record of service began when he joined HMS Northampton as a Boy 2nd Class on the 16/12/1899 – 16/3/00, when he was promoted to Boy 1st Class. HMS Northampton, 17/3/00 – 17/4/00. HMS Calliope, 18/4/00 – 15/6/00, when he was promoted to Ordinary Seaman. HMS Calliope, 16/6/00 – 20/6/00. HMS Duke of Wellington I, 21/6/00 – 4/7/00. HMS Camperdown, 5/7/00 – 17/1/01. HMS Hannibal, 18/1/01 - 22/9/01, when he was promoted to Able Bodied Seaman. HMS Hannibal, 23/9/01 – 8/1/02. HMS Duke of Wellington I, 9/1/02 – 14/1/02. HMS Victory, 15/1/02 – 30/6/02. HMS Warrior, 1/7/02 – 3/11/02. HMS Duke of Wellington I, 4/11/02 – 8/11/02. HMS Excellent, 9/11/02 – 30/5/03. HMS Duke of Wellington I, 31/5/03 – 30/9/03. HMS Firequeen I, 1/10/03 – 6/10/03. HMS Lancan, 7/10/03 – 27/11/05. HMS Excellent, 28/11/05 – 19/9/06. HMS Barfleur, 20/9/06 – 4/3/07. HMS Prince George, 5/3/07 – 19/8/07. HMS Hindustan, 20/8/07 – 4/10/09. HMS Excellent, 5/10/09 – 26/2/10. HMS Revenge, 27/2/10 – 16/9/11. HMS Bonaventure, 17/9/11 – 14/10/12. HMS Excellent, 15/10/12 – 14/12/12. HMS Latona, 15/12/12 – 17/7/13. Sentenced to 30 days detention, 18/7/13 – 15/8/13. HMS Victory I, 16/8/13 – 19/8/13. HMS Latona, 20/8/13 – 8/3/15. HMS Princess Irene, 9/3/15 – 27/5/15 when he was killed by internal explosion aboard his vessel off Sheerness, Kent.
On Friday June 4th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – BOTTESFORD VICTIM OF SHEERNESS DISASTER. – G. A. Calcraft, A.B., of H.M.S. Princess Irene, was among those on board the vessel, which was blown up in Sheerness Harbour, and is presumed lost. Calcraft was a native of Bottesford, and was home on leave only a week previously.