Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Daniels, born in the 1st quarter of 1857 in Ruskington, Lincolnshire and his wife Ann (Annie) Daniel (nee Heward (Heyward) (Howard) married on the 9th November 1884 in Holy Trinity Church, Hinckley), a hosiery trade seamer, born in the 1st quarter of 1857 in Hinckley, Leicestershire. George (Dick), a schoolboy, was born on the 27th November 1887 in Hinckley and was baptised on the 18th November 1889 in Holy Trinity Church, Hinckley, he had a half blood sibling, Sarah Ann Heywood, a schoolgirl, born in the 4th quarter of 1877 in Hinckley, and siblings, Tom, born on the 12th March 1889 and Alice, born on the 19th April 1890, all his siblings were born in Hinckley, in April 1891 the family home was at 3, Porters Yard, Hinckley. In April 1911 George was employed as an excavator and was residing in the family home at 77, Stockwell Head, Hinckley, together with his father, an excavator, his mother and siblings, Tom, an excavator, Alice, a boot trade machinist, Harry, an excavator, born in the 4th quarter of 1891, Sam, a schoolboy, born on the 6th March 1899, Annie, a boot trade machinist, born in the 2nd quarter of 1895 and Ada, a hosiery trade worker, born in the 4th quarter of 1896, the latter four siblings were all born in Hinckley. George also had the following older siblings, Elizabeth born in the 2nd quarter of 1885 and William, born in the 3rd quarter of 1886, both siblings were born in Hinckley. George’s father was born and registered at birth with the surname spelling of Daniels, this was the spelling used on the 1891 census return, however the “s” was dropped on all of the officially recorded birth registrations for the children of the marriage. His younger brother Harry, also fell in action on the 19th September 1916.
George enlisted into the Regular Army on the 28th August 1914 in Hinckley, Leicestershire, and was allocated the service number 6/10495. He gave his place of birth as Hinckley, Leicestershire, his age as 26 years and 271 days, marital status as unmarried and trade or calling as Labourer.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3 inches in height, weighed 143 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches, his physical development was described as good.
He gave his next of kin as his father Tom and mother Annie of 77, Stockwell Head, Hinckley, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined at Leicester. 28/8/14.
Leicestershire Regiment. Depot. Joined. Private. 29/8/14.
Leicestershire Regiment. 3rd Bn. 6th. Bn. Posted. Private. 3/9/14.
Embarked. 29/7/15.
Admitted to 48th Field Ambulance. Shell wound to head and shoulders. In the Field. 8/1/16.
Admitted 10th General Hospital. Gunshot wound shoulders and right scalp. Rouen. 13/1/16.
Transferred to England. Hospital Ship Copenhagen. 23/1/16.
Leicestershire Regiment. Depot. Private. 25/1/16.
Leicestershire Regiment. 3rd Bn. Posted. Private. 17/2/16.
Embarked for Expeditionary Force. Devonport. 14/5/16.
Leicestershire Regiment. 2nd Bn. Posted. Private. 15/5/16.
Disembarked. Basra. 13/6/16.
Arrived with 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. In the Field. 25/7/16.
Granted Proficiency Pay Class 2 @ 3d. In the Field. 28/8/16.
Leicestershire Regiment. 2nd Bn. Killed in Action, place not stated. Private. 10/3/17.
Summary of Service:
Home Service British. 28/8/14 to 28/7/15. 335 days.
Ex. Force France. 29/7/15 to 24/1/16. 180 days.
Home British. 25/1/16 to 14/5/16. 111 days.
Persian Gulf. 15/5/16 to 10/3/17. 300 days
Total Service; 2 years 215 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
George’s surviving service record amounts to a total of twelve pages, and these are in poor condition with much of the hand written information relating to his army service in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 10 Mar-17 - At 12.25am an order was received to be prepared to carry on the attack at 7.00am. At 2.40am a message was received that the attack would not be carried out until definite orders were received from Division, but all preparations to be made and patrols pushed out to ascertain if enemy position still held. About 7.30am we commenced pushing on “A,” “B” and “D” Company’s in front, “C” Company in support. For some 500 yards there was no opposition. Then we came under very heavy shell fire, our guns not replying. We pushed on with our left (“D” Company) on telegraph pole line directing. At 9.30am message received from Officer Commanding “D” Company, “enemy stronghold entrenched 700 yards north of me cannot get forward without supporting fire.” Our leading line now under heavy shell fire and some rifle fire, no support from our guns. At 9.48am message received, “35th Brigade (on right) report you are blocking their way. Please move straight to your left and clear their front. You will probably be withdrawn shortly.” About 11.30am we got an order to withdraw to 1000 yards North of SHAWA RUINS where the Brigade would concentrate. Withdrawal and relief by 35th Brigade complete at about 1.00pm. During the 9th/10th march we had pushed enemy back over 2 miles and had obtained all information required. The following message was received from General Officer Commanding Brigade, “Corps and Divisional Commanders have asked me to convey their thanks to all ranks for their excellent work last night and today.” The Brigade bivouacked 1000 yards North of RUINS and awaited further orders. A heavy wind rose during the afternoon and continued all night, dust storm being terrific. Brigade in Divisional reserve. P-?- were filled and rations issued. Casualties during the day NCO’s and men 3 killed, 35 wounded.
The 11th April 1917 edition of the Leicester Mercury published the following under the heading, “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” KILLED – LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Barrett, 23863 C. (Quorn), Barrows, 20937 C. (Leicester), Coleman, 20665 H. (Oadby), Daniel, 10495 G. (Hinckley), Foulds, 22689 T. A. (Woodhouse), Geary, 26775 R. (Narborough).