Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Poulton, a shoe trade finisher, born 1871 in Brentwood, Essex and his wife Beatrice Annie Poulton (nee Skelton, married in the 2nd quarter of 1893 in the Leicester district), born 1874 in Woolwich, Kent. George Henry was born in 1894 in Leicester, his siblings were, Telford, born in the 1st quarter of 1898, William, born 1900 and Ellen Emma, born 1901, all his siblings were born in Hinckley, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Cross Keys Yard, 2, Castle Street, Hinckley, Leics. In April 1911 George was residing in the family home at 3, Truslove’s Yard, Castle Street, Hinckley, Leics., together with his father a cowman and farm labourer, his mother a charwoman and his siblings, Telford, a schoolboy, William, a schoolboy, Emma, a schoolgirl, Harry, a schoolboy, born 1903, Beatrice Ada, a schoolgirl, born 1904, Winifred Mary J., a schoolgirl, born 1907 and Elizabeth Ann, born 1909, the latter four siblings were all born in Hinckley, Leics. His younger brother Telford also fell in action. George enlisted into the Army as a Special Reservist on the 24th August 1914 in Hinckley, Leics. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and his age as 21 years, his trade or calling was given as shoe hand. He confirmed that he had been a member of the National Reserve, 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and had been discharged for being unable to attend training. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6 inches in height, he weighed 120 pounds and he had a chest measurement of 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had brown eyes. He was pronounced fit for service. He gave his father George Poulton, his mother Beatrice Poulton and his brothers, James, William and Harry Poulton all of 9, Royal Oak Yard, Hinckley, Leics., as his next of kin. His service record gives the following details; Joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 11973 on the 24/8/14. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 3/9/14. Embarked from Southampton to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 11/12/14. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 22/12/14. Admitted to Field Ambulance on the 22/2/15. Admitted to hospital in St. Omer, France suffering from measles on the 1/3/15. Reported missing after operations in the field on the 15/5/15. Regarded for official purposes to have died on the 15/5/15. The following information was provided on the 26th April 1919 by George’s father George and witnessed by Mr. Bailey, the Prudential Superintendent of The Hollies, 48, Mount Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family). Father of soldier, Geo. Jas. Poulton. Mother of soldier, Beatrice Annie Poulton. Full blood brothers of soldier, William, age 19, a soldier, Harry, age 16, of 9, Royal Oak Yard, Hinckley, Leics. Full blood sisters of soldier, Ellen Emma, age 18, Beatrice Ada, age 15, Winifred Ann, age 11 and Elizabeth Ann, age 10, all of 9, Royal Oak Yard, Hinckley, Leics.
The War Diary for today records. Battn rested during the day in LANSDOWNE POST. Moved off at 8.00pm. Battn took over front line from which the assault was to be made and by 9.30pm Coy’s were in position. Telephonic communication established with left and right and communication by officers ascertained between men on left and 2nd Div on my right. Eleven bridges were placed over the stream which runs parallel to position and about 20 to 30 yards in front of it, there with the existing four bridges made a total of 15 on the Battn front. It was not possible to place more bridges in position as the stream had been widened at many points by big shell holes, and the trunks and branches of fallen trees also blocked any other places where bridges might have been put. This getting of the bridges into position was an operation of great difficulty on account of the constant flares and bursts of fire from the enemy’s parapet. It was skilfully and quietly done with only two or three casualties. At 10.45pm two platoons were crossed over to the far side of the stream. Four more platoons were formed up ready, in the trenches to go forward and support the leading platoons. The remaining two Coy’s were formed up lying down behind the parados in close column of platoons ready to advance. Thus the whole Battn was got into its final position in order of attack and as close up as possible. This final formation was complete by 11.20pm and thanks to the able leading of Coy Commanders the movement was carried out in perfect order, and with no noise. At 11.30pm the leading platoons went forward to the assault closely supported by the second line. The lines in rear went forward to take up the positions vacated by the leading line. At the same time, or if anything some seconds before 11.30pm the enemy opened a very heavy fire with rifles and machine guns. A few minutes afterwards trench mortars and shrapnel searched the stream and the ground on both sides of it. The enemy threw from their parapet some kind of fire grenade which burst into fire on impact with the ground, and these with continuous flames of all colours, literally turned night into day. The leading men pushed on but only a few were able to reach near the enemy’s parapet. Each succeeding line came under a very heavy fire, the bridges got so blocked and the obstacles caused by fallen trees and shell holes so impeded movement that effective support could not be given. Thus the impetus of the assault was broken before it really got a proper start. The enemy’s parapet was fully manned and the accuracy and intensity may be understood from the fact that 8 officers, Platoon Commanders were killed or wounded. About 12 midnight reports were received from the front that our attack could not reach the German line, orders were then given to withdraw to our own trenches.
On Friday July 23rd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR.” – The following men on the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment are reported from the Base under date 28th June to be missing:- Arnold, 7130, Private E. Brockington, 6628, Private F. Clarke, 16385, Private T. Coles, 9219, Lance-Corpl. W. Cook, 15799, Private T. Easton, 11565, Private R. Fletcher, 12850, Private L. Grant, 9667, Private E. Holmes, 12458, Corporal W. Jarman 8500, Private J. Jarman, 7723, Private W. Jones, 8524, Private R. Langham, 12503, Private F. Litchfield, 7354, Private G. Morris, 7004, Private J. Pilkington, 12687, Private J. Poulton, 11973, Private G. H. Pullen, 9912, Private W. Slater, 9851, Private W. Stokes, 9843, Private W. Tarrett, 11502, Private G. Timson 9452, Private F. Taylor, 12020, Private A. E. Wood, 7368, Private H. Woodford, 6469, Private W.