Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Harry Moulds, an ironstone labourer, born 1870 in Harby, Leicestershire, and his wife Sarah Ann Moulds (nee Asher, married in the 1st quarter of 1890 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. district), born 1871 in Bottesford, Leicestershire. George Henry was born in the 2nd quarter of 1890 in Harby, in April 1891 the family home was at Nether Street, Harby. In March 1901 George was residing in the family home at Stathern Road, Harby, together with his father, an ironstone labourer, his mother and siblings, John William, born 1896, Arthur Edward, born 1899 and Wallace Edwin, born 1900, all his siblings were born in Harby. In April 1911 George was absent from the family home at Stathern Lane, Harby, residing there was his father, an ironstone quarry worker, his mother and siblings, John, a general farm labourer, Arthur, a schoolboy, Wallace, a schoolboy, Ernest Reginald, born 1902, Florence Ellen, born 1906, Horace, born 1905, Edith Emily, born 1908, Harry, born 1909 and Alec, born 1911, the latter six siblings were all born in Harby, George was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Fort Saint George, Madras, India.
George enlisted into the Army on the 27th November 1907 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, and was allocated the service number 8273. He gave his place of birth as Harby, Leics., and his age as 18 years and 6 months. He gave his trade or calling as labourer, and confirmed that he had been a member of the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment, also stating that he had made a previous attempt to enlist, but was rejected as he was under age. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4 inches in height, weighed 135½ pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 37 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was dark brown and he had brown eyes. It was noted that he had a small scar on his left finger. He gave his religion as Church of England. His next of kin were given as his father, Henry, mother, Sarah Ann, brothers, John, Arthur, Wallace, Ernest, sister, Rose, all of Musson Row, Harby, Leics. His service record provides the following information:- Posted as a Private to the Leicestershire Regiment Depot in Leicester, 28/11/07. Awarded the 3rd Class Certificate of Education on the 17/3/08. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 18/3/08. He was allocated to Transport Duties at Shorncliffe on the 17/3/09. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 5/3/10. Appointed Lance Corporal, unpaid on the 16/5/11. Appointed Lance Corporal paid (vice Lance Corporal Elliott) on the 30/1/12. Awarded the 2nd Class Army Certificate of Education on the 27/2/12. Reverted to Private at own request on the 15/1/13. He qualified as a Machine Gunner on the 16/10/14. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, Authy: Supplement to the London Gazette of 3/6/15. Appointed Lance Corporal unpaid on the 11/7/15. Died of wounds received in action in the Persian Gulf on the 4/2/16. A summary of Henry’s service is as follows:- Home Service, 27/11/07 – 4/3/10, 93 days. India, 5/3/10 – 19/9/14, 4years and 199 days. Voyage to join the British Expeditionary Force in France, 20/9/14 – 11/10/14, 22 days. B.E.F., France, 12/10/14 – 9/11/15, 1 year 29 days. Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 10/11/15 – 4/2/16, 87 days. Total service, 8 years and 70 days. The citation in the London Gazette dated 3rd June 1915 reads:- “For gallant conduct at Neuve Chapelle on the 11th and 12th March 1915, in handling his machine-gun, with coolness and ability under fire. He also showed great courage in building gun emplacements under heavy fire.” At the time of the action in the citation George held the rank of Private.
On Saturday June 5th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “Gallant Leicester Honoured.” – 13 D.C.M.’s IN SECOND BATTALION. – The “London Gazette” states that the King has been pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to the under mentioned for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty:- Private C. H. MOULDS (8273), 2nd Leicestershire Regiment, For gallant conduct at Neuve Chapelle on 11th and 12th March, 1915, in handling his machine gun with coolness and ability under fire. He also showed great courage in building gun emplacements under heavy fire.
On Friday July 23rd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – HARBY. – FROM THE FRONT. On Monday, Private George Moulds D.C.M., returned to the trenches after having been home for a few days leave. Private Moulds went to India over five years ago, and had not visited his home since going direct from India to France with the Indian troops. He obtained his medal at Neuve Chapelle, remaining with his machine gun against overwhelming numbers of the enemy. He has gone through several engagements since last October, and has so far escaped without a scratch. His brother William obtained leave from Detling Camp, Kent, at the same time in order to meet him.
On Friday March 3rd 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – HARBY. – ROLL OF HONOUR. We have this week to record the death of another of our soldiers viz., Lance Corporal George H. Moulds, D.C.M., son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Moulds, of this village. Joining the 2nd Leicesters eight years ago he spent two years in England and the remainder in India, until the outbreak of war when he came to France with the Indian Expeditionary Force. He went through several severe engagements without the slightest wound, receiving his D.C.M. for heroic gallantry with his machine gun at Neuve Chapelle. He had a few days leave last July, and afterwards left France for Egypt, ultimately reaching the Persian Gulf. The War Office notice simply states that he died on Feb. 4th from wounds received in action. Great sympathy is felt for the relatives by the whole village as deceased was a most popular soldier, and took the keenest interest in his work. A memorial service will be held in the Parish Church on Sunday evening next at 6.30 o’clock. His brother is in the Royal Sussex Rifles, and he has uncles and cousins also enlisted. Deceased was in his 26th year.