Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Partner, a granite quarry worker, born 1873 in Stanton, Leics., and his wife Harriett Partner (nee Kendrick, married Q4 1893 in the Market Bosworth, Leics. district), born 1874 in Markfield, Leics. George Harry was born on the 27th August 1896 in Markfield, Leics., his siblings were, Joseph Robert, born 1895, Sarah Maria, born 1899 and Mary J., born 1901, all his siblings were born in Markfield, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Shaw Lane, Markfield, Leics. In April 1911 George was employed as a quarry worker and was residing in the family home at Shaw Lane, Markfield, Leics., together with his widowed mother and siblings, Joseph, a blacksmith’s striker, Sarah, a schoolgirl and John William, a schoolboy, born 1902 in Markfield, Leics. George was recorded as an Army Reservist on the 16th February 1916. He enlisted on the 16th July 1917 and embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 19th November 1917, joining his unit, the Drake Battalion on the 27th November 1917 and serving with this unit until reported missing presumed killed in action on the 25th March 1918, later reported as taken Prisoner of War. George died after suffering a fit in German Field Hospital No. 397 at Peronne on the 6th April 1918.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday May 17th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Ptes. T. T. Kelham and G. H. Partner, both of Markfield, of the R.N.V.R. are missing.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 29th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

News has been received by Mrs Harriett Partner, of Shaw Lane, that her son, A.B. George Harry Partner, 5030 R.N.D. was killed in action on March 25th. He was reported missing eight months ago. He was 20 years of age, and before enlisting worked at the Ellistown Colliery.

Coalville Times article - Friday March 26th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Partner – In loving memory of my dear son, Able-Seaman George Harry Partner, reported killed on March 25th, 1918.

“Let the winds of heaven blow gently,
O’er the sweet and sacred spot.
Although you are so far away
Dear son, you are not forgot.”

From his loving Mother, Sister and Brothers.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 30th, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT COPT OAK CHURCH

WINDOW DECORATED BY THE BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH

A large congregation was present at Copt Oak Church on Sunday morning to witness the dedication by the Bishop of Peterborough of a beautiful stained-glass window which has been placed in the church in memory of local men who gave their lives in the great war.

The window has three lights, the centre light being occupied by a warrior kneeling at the foot of Christ, with the inscription, “Faithful unto death, 1914 – 1918.” The following are the fallen who are commemorated:

E. Bowley, J. W. Brooks, J. H. Gibbins, H. Heggs, H. A. V. Hull, H. Hall, R. Irons, T. J. Kelham, A. H. Mason, G. H. Partner, P. B. Pearce, S. W. Richardson, H. Read, P. Tyers, S. A. Whyles and W. Wibberley.

Immediately preceding the service, a muffled peal was rung on the bells. The Rev. H. C. Gannell (vicar) took the first part of the service, which was fully choral, and the Rev. J. Martin, of Charley Hall, read the lessons. The special music rendered by the choir included the Te Deum (Hopkins) and the anthem, “Rejoice in the Lord” (Elvey). Mrs Gannell officiated at the organ, and at the close played the Dead March in “Saul.”

The Bishop, in his address from St. John, xx, 29, emphasised the power of the Resurrection, dealing with the introduction of Christianity into Britain, the progress made in Uganda, India and China. Instead of thinking of God as a kind of arch-magistrate seated on a distant star, we must think of one who is full of sympathy even for those whom many consider as beyond the pale. His Lordship continued, “We remember those gallant men who gave their lives in the war. They have cleared the way for a new Britain, a better Europe and a new world. Our task is to carry on, not to beat the Germans, but to form a truer fellowship, a lasting peace and goodwill. We must never falter until the great League of Nations is rooted and grounded in brotherly love, and a new comradeship is established, not every one grabbing for self, but each man loving his neighbour as himself.”

The congregation included many of the relatives of the deceased men. The collections at the services, including the Choral Communion Service at 8 am, at which the Bishop of Peterborough was the celebrant, were for the Window Fund. The service at 6.30 pm was taken by the Rev. T. W. Walters, Whitwick, Rural Dean.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 15/2/2018