Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Arkinstall, a shoe trade riveter, born 3rd June 1862 in Gnosall, Staffordshire and his wife Elizabeth Arkinstall (nee Cater, married on the 24th May 1885 in St. Peter’s Church, Belgrave, Leicester), born 1864 in Bulkington, Warwickshire. George was born in the 2nd quarter of 1890 in Aylestone, Leicestershire and baptised on the 21st January 1891 in Aylestone Park Parish Church, he had one sibling, Albert E., a schoolboy, born 1885 in Belgrave, Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at Harold Street, Aylestone Park. In March 1901 George was residing in the family home at 7, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, together with his father, a shoe maker, his step mother, Harriett Arkinstall (nee Lount, married on the 15th August 1895 in Market Harborough Parish Church), born 15th November 1860 in Market Harborough, his sibling John, a factory worker, born 1888 in Belgrave, Leicester and his half blood siblings, Frances Louisa born 3rd May 1896 in Hinckley, Leicestershire and Gladys, born 1899 in Market Harborough. In April 1911 George was absent from the family home at 8, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough, residing there was his father, a lodging house keeper, his step mother, assisting in the business and his half blood siblings, Frances, a corset trade worker, Gladys, a schoolgirl and Maude Helen, a schoolgirl, born 17th July 1903 in Market Harborough, George was employed in farm work, and was residing at Brooms Farm, Launde, Loddington, Leicestershire this being the farm of his Uncle, George Smith, a farmer, born 1876 in Bitteswell, Leicestershire, his wife Elizabeth Smith, born 1875 in Gnosall, and their children, Ronald, born 1903 and Eric, born 1910, both children were born at Launde. In the 2nd quarter of 1916, George married Mary Elizabeth (Lizzie) Lee, in the Blaby, Leicestershire district, Mary was born on the 1st June 1892 in Huncote, Leicestershire. In 1939 she was residing in the family home at 36, Sykefield Avenue, Leicester. In 1939 George’s father, a self employed shoe repairer was residing in the family home at 15, Walcot Road, Market Harborough, together with his wife Harriett and daughter Maud, a factory cleaner.
The Huncote Baptist Church memorial plaque is now located in the Methodist Church, Huncote, Leicestershire
The War Diary records: 29 Sep – 1 Oct-16 - GUEDECOURT. During the two days 29th September to 1st October 1916 the Battalion held and consolidated the line in front of GUEDECOURT. The enemy shelled the village without cessation but caused 4 casualties, as he did not appear to have located our line which was a little in advance of the edge of the village itself. Our casualties were therefore slight. 2nd Lieutenant H. WILD 30th September 1916 and 2nd Lieutenant R. B. CHAPMAN on the 1st October 1916. Other ranks 36.
The War Diary records: 1 Oct-16 - GUEDECOURT. On the afternoon of the 1st a patrol went out under 2nd Lieutenant HOLT in conjunction with patrols on either flank from other units. Under cover of heavy shell fire they reached the German trench. New objective being to ascertain whether this line (which lay beyond ridge) was still occupied. If not they were to occupy it and other stronger patrols were to join them and consolidate. They found it strongly held, but the enemy evidently -?- and inclined to run until they discovered it to be only a small patrol. 2nd Lieutenant HOLT brought his patrol back without loss under heavy Machine Gun fire, after inflicting several casualties on the enemy. On the night of the 1st/2nd October 1916 the Battalion was relieved by a Battalion of the 1st Division, EAST SURREY REGIMENT. The relief was carried out with great ease as the enemy’s artillery was almost silent during the night. The Battalion marched to BERNAFAY WOOD. Only 2 casualties were sustained during the relief. Casualties during the day were as noted above.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
The photograph of George was found in the Harborough Mail and submitted by R. March in 2021