Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of the late William Veasey, an agricultural labourer, born 1825 in Stapleford, Leics., and his wife Fanny Veasey (nee Hand), a charwoman, born 1845 in Melton Mowbray, Leics. George was born in 1878 in Melton Mowbray, Leics., his siblings were John, an errand boy, born 1875 and Elizabeth, a stocking factory worker, born 1879, both his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at 49, Norman Street, Melton Mowbray, Leics. In March 1901 George was employed as a sporting tackle shop assistant and was residing in the family home at 24, Norman Street, Melton Mowbray, Leics., together with his widowed mother and brother, John, a fruiterer’s assistant. In April 1911 George was employed as an assistant gunsmith and was residing in the family home at 35, Victoria Street, Melton Mowbray, Leics., together with his wife of three years Gertrude Eva Veasey (nee Wells), born 1883 in Nottingham. Their son, Walter G. Veasey, was born in the fourth quarter of 1915 in Melton Mowbray. On Friday August 24th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – MELTON SOLDIERS KILLED. On Monday Mrs Veasey, of 35, Victoria Street, Melton Mowbray, received the sad news that her husband, Gunner George Veasey, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, had been killed in action. It was conveyed in the following sympathetic letter from his officer:- “France, 15th August 1917. Dear Mrs Veasey, - I deeply regret to inform you that your husband, Gunner G. Veasey was killed on the 13th inst. We sadly deplore his death. He was recognised by officers and men as being smart, efficient, and ever willing gunner. He was most popular with the men of his section, and all of them feel that they have lost a real chum. They respectfully tend you their deepest sympathy. He was working with some ten other men of our battery when a shell burst in the midst of them. Only your husband was hit. A splinter struck him in the head, and he died instantly. His chums picked up his body and reverently carried him to the nearest dressing station. He was buried in the military cemetery, with a chaplain to conduct the last rites. To you, his wife, his death will come as a great shock, more particularly as I believe your were expecting him home on leave. The officers, men, and myself offer you our heartfelt sympathy in your bereavement. I trust you will be given Divine grace to sustain you at this sad time. At times like these one feels that words seem empty, and convey little real sympathy, but I am sure your husband’s wish would be that you should endeavour to bear up bravely, putting your trust in God’s good grace. Your husband has given his life in a great cause. No man can do more. He has earned his wooden cross the highest honour obtainable in the war. All honour to him and to his memory. May the God of Battles comfort you and console you. The few personal belongings of your husband’s are being sent you. I hope you will receive them safely. Again assuring you of our deepest sympathy, and trust you will be given grace to bear your great loss. I am, yours sincerely, J. Freeman, 2nd Lieut. ---- Battery, R.G.A.” Deceased who would have been 35 years of age in October, leaves a widow and a two years old son, for whom much sympathy will be felt. On leaving school he entered the employment of Messrs. Whitehouse and Sons, gunsmiths, & C., High Street, Melton Mowbray, and had been with the firm about 20 years. His services were highly valued by them, and the news was received with deep regret, as they were looking forward to his return after the war. He formerly belonged to the old Volunteers, and won several prizes at their shooting competitions. Gunner Veasey also took a keen and active interest in the Church Boys’ Brigade and the Boy Scout movements, and was for a considerable time a Scoutmaster. He went up with his group in June 1915, joining the Royal Garrison Artillery, and being conversant with all kinds of infantry drill, and rapidly completing his training he was sent out to France after about five weeks, so that he had been at the front just over a year. On Friday August 31st 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – THANKS. Mrs Veasey desires to thank the numerous friends who have expressed their sympathy with her in her recent sad bereavement, 35, Victoria Street, Melton Mowbray.