Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Button a shoe trade riveter, born in the January quarter of 1871 in Leicester (son of George Button, 1847-1901 and Mary Ann Ott, 1848-1932) and his wife Minnie Button (nee Allsop, married in the October quarter of 1895 in Leicester), born in the April quarter of 1866 in Leicester and baptised on the 15th April 1867 in St. Margaret’s Church, Leicester (daughter of James Allsop and Sarah Ann Graves). George Sidney was born in the July quarter of 1896 in St. Luke’s, Leicester, he had one sibling, a sister Florence Minnie, born in the April quarter of 1899 in Leicester and baptised on the 23rd May 1899 in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 8, Albert Cottages, Watling Street, Leicester. In April 1911 George was employed as a telegraph messenger and was residing in the family home at 9, Hastings Terrace, Halford Street, Leicester, together with his father, an auctioneer’s foreman, his mother and sister Florence.
George enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force Reserve on the 30th January 1915 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 3901. He gave his present address as 9, Wigston Street, Leicester.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place at The Magazine, Leicester on the 29th January 1915 and recorded his birthplace as St. Luke’s, Leicester, declared age as 19 years 31 days, trade or occupation as Post Office, that he was 5-feet 7¾ inches in height, weighed 134 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 35½ inches, his vision was described as D6/D6 his physical development was described as good. Enlisted at Leicester on the 31st January 1915. Joined on enlistment 4th Reserve Bn. Leicestershire Regt.
His medical inspection record gave his full name as George Button, his apparent age as 19 years 1 month, his height as 5-foot 7¾ inches, his chest measurement as 33½ inches to 35½ inches, his vison as good and his physical development as good.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force Reserve. Date 30th January 1915. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his father, G. Button, mother, 9, Wigston Street, Leicester.
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 Leicester. 30/1/15.
Posted. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 30/1/15.
Embodied service commenced. 30/1/15.
Transferred. To 3/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 14/5/15.
Transferred. To 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 29/6/15.
Embarked. From Southampton. 29/6/15.
Disembarked. Rouen. 30/6/15.
Joined. No.2 Entrenching Battalion. 23/7/15.
Reported. Missing in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Assumed dead on or since. 13/10/15.
Struck off strength of Bn. from 10/12/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 30/1/15 – 29/6/15. 151 days.
France. 30/6/15 – 13/10/15. 106 days.
Total Service. 257 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
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: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Saturday, November 27th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The parents of Private G. E. BUTTON, First 4th Leicester’s, who has been missing since the 13th October, reside at 9, Wigston-street, and would be glad to learn any news concerning their son, Private Button was a postman and enlisted in February.
On Monday, November 29th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. – LEICESTERS: FALLEN OR MISSING. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. G. E. BUTTON, 4th Leicester’s, missing since Oct. 13th. He was formerly a postman. His parents reside at 9, Wigston-street.