Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Jesse Bedford a stocking maker, born in the April quarter of 1856 in Hinckley, Leicestershire and baptised on the 5th April 1857 in Holy Trinity Church, Hinckley (son of John Bedford, 1830-1896 and Elizabeth Groudridge, 1836-1891) and his wife Martha Bedford (nee Pinchess, married on the 21st December 1880 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley), born in the January quarter of 1862 in Hinckley. George was born in the April quarter of 1891 in Hinckley, his siblings were, Elizabeth, born in the April quarter of 1883 and baptised on the 22nd March 1897 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley, John, born in the July quarter of 1884 and baptised on the 22nd March 1897 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley, Jesse, born in the October quarter of 1887 and Mary Ann, born in the October quarter of 1889, all his siblings were born in Hinckley, in April 1891 the family home was at Remps Yard, Druid Street, Hinckley. In March 1901 George was residing in the family home at 51, Rugby Road, Hinckley, together with his father, a hosiery framework knitter, his mother and siblings Charles William, a boot maker, born on the 9th May 1881 in Hinckley, Elizabeth, a hosiery framework knitter, John, a hosiery trade trimmer, Willie, a hosiery trade runner on, born in the April quarter of 1886 in Hinckley, Mary, Samuel, born in the January quarter of 1893 and baptised on the 27th November 1893 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley and Albert, born in the October quarter of 1896 and baptised on the 22nd March 1897 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley, the latter two siblings were both born in Hinckley. In April 1911 George was employed as a hosiery trade trimmer and was residing in the family home at 66, Queens Road, Hinckley, together with his father, a hosiery trade seamer, his mother and siblings William, a hosiery trade worker, Samuel, a hosiery trade trimmer and Albert, a hosiery trade trimmer and his sister, Elizabeth’s daughter, Elizabeth Tomlin Bedford, born in the January quarter of 1906 in Hinckley and baptised on the 25th February 1906 in St. Mary’s Church, Hinckley.
George enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 31st March 1911 in Hinckley, and was allotted the regimental service number 1126. He gave his place of birth as St. Mary’s, Hinckley, Leicestershire and age as 20 years. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosiery hand, presently in the employ of Messrs. A. E. Hawley, Sketchley Dye Works. He gave his present address as 66, Queens Road, Hinckley.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Hinckley on the 31st March 1911 and recorded his birthplace as St. Mary’s, Hinckley, Leicestershire, declared age as 20 years, trade or occupation as hosiery hand, that he was 5-feet 6¾ inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 31½ and 34 inches, his vision was described as good and his physical development was described as good.
His medical inspection record gave his full name as George Bedford, his apparent age as 20 years, his height as 5-foot 6¾ inches, his chest measurement as 31½ inches to 34 inches, his vison as good and his physical development as good.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force. Date 29th March 1911. Place Hinckley.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Jesse Bedford, 66, Queen Street, Hinckley.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Hinckley. 31/3/11.
Posted. To 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 31/3/11.
Attended. Annual training, High Tor Camp. 6/8/11 – 13/8/11.
Attended. Annual training, Lovesgrove Camp. 6/8/12 – 18/8/12.
Embodied service commenced. 5/8/14.
Deprived. Of Lance stripe for misconduct. 26/9/14.
Embarked. With 1/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 26/2/15.
Landed. At Le Havre. 27/2/15.
To Hospital, bronchial catarrh. In the Field. 8/9/15.
To duty. In the Field. 14/9/15.
Wounded in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Admitted. 9th Casualty Clearing Station, gunshot wound head (perforated brain). In the Field. 14/10/15.
Transferred. To No.2 Stationary Hospital, Abbeville. 14/10/15.
Reported. Dangerously ill, Abbeville. 18/10/15.
Reported. Dangerously ill, Abbeville. 25/10/15.
Died of wounds in No.2 Stationary Hospital, Abbeville. 4/11/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 31/3/11 – 27/2/15. 3 years 334 days.
France. 28/2/15 – 4/11/15. 250 days.
Total Service. 4 years 219 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
A letter in George’s service record, addressed from, 18, Queen’s Road, Hinckley and received on the 4th April 1916 at Territorial Force Records, Lichfield, reads: - Dear Sir, in reply to your letter, we received the parcel quite safe with thanks, we are also pleased to know our brother George was buried by a Minister. I am sure we have got something to be thankful for. We should very much like a photo of his grave if it is possible. Yours Faithfully, L. Bedford.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At 6.00 am Battalion in place in RESERVE trench. At 12.00 noon bombardment of enemy trench FOSSE 8 commenced. At 1.00 pm smoke and gas turned on until 1.50 pm. At 2.00 pm assault. 5th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT and 4th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT advanced in lines of platoon at 50 paces distance against HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. 4th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT attacked from 2nd line followed by the MONMOUTHSHIRE REGIMENT. 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 Company officers became casualties. REDOUBT and half of NORTH FACE was held – LITTLE WILLIE and BIG WILLIE still in enemy hands. At 3.00 pm “B” Company sent up to reinforce centre and left of REDOUBT followed by “A” and part of “D” Companies. Machine Guns in position along original front line now held by “C” Company and parts of other regiments. Considerable progress made along LITTLE WILLIE by grenade party under Lieutenant C. H. F. WOLLASTON. Ground lost again owing to lack of grenades. At 5.30 pm 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” Companies still remained in the REDOUBT during the whole of next day.
An account of the events of the 12th and 13th October 1915.
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 10.00 pm 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 1.00 pm we released chlorine gas, and disastrously for us an enemy shell shattered some containers in our frontline. At 2.00 pm 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 1/5th 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 8.00 am on the fifteenth that the relief was completed and buses took most of our troops back to Hesdigneul. The 1/5th Battalion lost four officers, six wounded, two gassed and thirty-five men killed, one hundred and thirty-two wounded and twenty-two gassed.
On Saturday, November 20th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Private G. BEDFORD, of the 5th Battalion (T.F.), Leicestershire Regiment, previously reported wounded, is now reported to have died of wounds.