Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
George met his death at the Battle of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. On the 12th October 1915 the Battalion marched the ten miles from the village of Hesdigneul to the Redoubt in “fighting order”, with great coats rolled and strapped to their backs. They arrived at 10.00pm at Vermelles, and the following eight hours were spent packed solid in communication trenches. Each soldier carried six sandbags and every third a shovel. As you could imagine, none of them slept and the lucky ones had a drink before our artillery opened up at noon on the 13th October. The enemy artillery responded fifteen minutes later, and at 1.00pm we released chlorine gas, and disastrously for us an enemy shell shattered some containers in our frontline. At 2.00pm our troops, many wearing gas helmets went “over the top” and bayonet charged the enemy positions. Terrific machine gun fire tore into them and a shrapnel barrage added to the heavy casualties. Hours passed and furious hand to hand fighting took place and repeated bayonet charges drove the enemy back, who in turn counter attacked. After darkness fell Lance Corporal Clayson of the 1st/5th Battalion saved many lives by dragging wounded back to our trenches, and Captain Barton spent hours in No Man’s land giving morphine and water to the dying. When food and drink was brought up during the night the men had their first meal for twenty four hours, but still no sleep. The morning of the fourteenth was very misty and this became smog as the Germans continued to use shrapnel and gas shells throughout the day. It was at 8.00am on the fifteenth that the relief was completed and buses took most of our troops back to Hesdigneul. The 1st/5th Battalion lost four officers, six wounded, two gassed and thirty five men killed, one hundred and thirty two wounded and twenty two gassed. The War Diary for today records. At 6.00am Battn in place in RESERVE trench. At 12.00 noon bombardment of enemy trench FOSSE 8 commenced. At 1.00pm smoke and gas turned on until 1.50pm. At 2.00pm assault. 5th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT and 4th Battn LEICESTERSHIRE REGT advanced in lines of platoon at 50 paces distance against HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. 4th Battn LINCOLNSHIRE REGT attacked from 2nd line followed by the MONMOUTHSHIRE REGT. REDOUBT captured but lines checked and stopped by machine gun fire from MAD POINT, MADAGASCAR, and SOUTH FACE, also heavy rifle fire FOSSE and DUMP TRENCH. First two lines as almost all Coy officers became casualties. REDOUBT and half of NORTH FACE was held – LITTLE WILLIE and BIG WILLIE still in enemy hands. At 3.00pm B Coy sent up to reinforce centre and left of REDOUBT followed by A and part of D Coy’s. Machine guns in position along original front line now held by C Coy and parts of other regiments. Considerable progress made along LITTLE WILLIE by grenade party under Lt C. H. F. WOLLASTON. Ground lost again owing to lack of grenades. At 5.30pm ground now held consisted of front face of REDOUBT and up to LITTLE WILLIE and point 60. Remainder of REDOUBT untenable by either side. 138th Brigade relieved gradually by 139th Brigade. 138th Brigade hold original front line trench. Many of A and B Coy’s still remained in the REDOUBT during the whole of next day.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday July 2nd, 1915

Two former Ellistown church choir boys – Henry Gadsby and George Gadsby – who are now in the 2nd 5th Leicesters, have proceeded to France this week.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 22nd, 1915

Hugglescote Soldier Killed

Mrs Gadsby, of 30, Mill Row, Hugglescote, has received intimation that her husband, Pte. George Gadsby, of the 5th Leicestershire Territorials, was killed in action in France last week, the news being given in a letter from one of the deceased soldier’s comrades. The young widow is left with one child. Gadsby was about 25 years of age and before the war worked at the Ibstock Colliery.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 29th, 1915

Memorial Service

On Sunday evening a memorial service for Pte. George Gadsby, of the 5th Leicesters, killed in action in the recent fighting in France, was held at the St. Christopher’s Church. There was a large congregation and the service was impressively conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. F. Boothby. Appropriate hymns were sung and at the close, the organist, Mr W. Hemsley, played the Dead March. The deceased soldier was a member and regular worshiper at the church.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 5th, 1915

Hugglescote Soldier's Death - His last letter to his wife

Further particulars are to hand concerning the death of Pte. George Gadsby, of the 5th Leicesters, killed in action about October 13th. Gadsby’s wife, who lives with her little two year old girl at 30, Mill Row, Hugglescote, has received the following letter from George Daft, formerly of Margaret Street, Coalville, who was in the same regiment as her husband.

“Dear Mrs Gadsby, - It is with deep sympathy for you that I write these few lines. The reason I write is because George and I were such big pals and his death has grieved me to the heart, and I know it is a big loss to you. He was respected by all the men and officers of his platoon, who will feel his loss keenly. It was with a fearless heart that he advanced towards the enemy trenches, when he was hit by a bullet. His death was instantaneous and he suffered no pain. I was by his side at the time. I hope that the knowledge that he had such a good character and died doing his duty will comfort you in your deep sorrow. I wish to express the deep sympathy of his platoon, I remain, yours faithfully.”

George Daft

Mrs Gadsby has also received a memorial card from Lord Aberconway containing lines of consolation to the widow. The card is as follows:

“In memory of George Gadsby, 5th Leicesters. A gallant soldier who gave his life for his country in the Great War. Lord Aberconway ventures to send these lines of consolation to those left behind:

If I should die, think only this of me
That there’s some corner of a foreign field That is for ever England. There shall be In that rich earth a richer dust concealed A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware Gave, once, her flowers to love, her ways to roam.
A body of England’s breathing English air Washed by the rivers, blest by suns of home.

And think, this heart, all evil shed away A pulse in the eternal mind, no less Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness In hearts at peace, under an English heaven.

Rupert Brook

The last letter received by Mrs Gadsby from her husband was dated October 10th, only two days before the great British advance, and it seemed that Gadsby knew of this at the time of writing. He stated:

“I expect you will be a bit surprised at me writing before having another letter from you but I thought it my duty as a husband to write, as by the time you get this letter I shall perhaps be in a tight corner. I hope the Lord will spare me to get through it, to write to you and see you again. I hope that you will pray to God above to spare all of us out here, because we need the prayers of every one. But if I don’t get through it, you will know that I did my duty. Bless Hilda for me. If I land through it, I will write as soon as I can, if only a postcard. I am in the best of health at the time of writing this and hope you are the same. I received Hilda’s photo and it took me all the time to know who it was. I think she has grown a lot and I wish I was at home to see her. Well, dear wife, don’t write again until you hear from me and then I shall await a reply. It might be a postcard I shall send you. Well, good-bye for the present. I trust that my prayers will be heard and that God will spare me to see you again.”

Hilda referred to in the letter is the deceased soldier’s baby girl, who was only a few months old when Gadsby was called up as a reservist at the commencement of the war and he had never been home since. Gadsby formerly worked at the Ibstock Colliery. Mrs Gadsby has also received a letter from her husband’s brother, Harry, who is in the 5th Leicesters, France. Writing on October 25th, he says:

“Just a few lines hoping to find you well, as it leaves me in good health, although I am worried about George. I saw it in the “Coalville Times” that he was reported killed but I hope you don’t worry about it too much, though I know how hard it is for you and little Hilda. I would sooner it had been me a thousand times than him. When I last saw him, he was in a shell hole between the lines and I should have stopped with him only there was several chaps in there with him, including Daft. A lot of bullets were flying about at the time, so I went on till I got in a trench. I gave him Hilda’s photo the day before we went into the trenches, so that he would have it on him when he died. Try to cheer up a bit and try to cheer mother and dad, because they will be put about a lot. The last words he said to me before the attack were, “If I get killed and you get out of it alright, tell Lily that I died doing my duty for home, King and country, and tell her not to worry herself, for I am in God’s hands and I shall meet her in the other world.” So cheer up and God bless you and Hilda and mother and dad.

P.S. Show this letter to mother and tell her not to worry.”

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 10/09/2017