Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Ernest William Chawner a shoe maker, born 1850 in Leicester and his wife Sarah Ann Chawner (nee Spencer, married in the 4th quarter of 1869 in the Leicester district), born 1850 in Leicester. George was born in the 2nd quarter of 1886 in Leicester, his siblings were, James, born 1870, Alfred, born 1873, William Henry, born 1883, Harriett, born 1877, Sarah Ann, born 1883 and an unnamed male infant, born 1891, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 36, Catherine Street, Leicester. In March 1901 George was employed as a boot trade worker and was residing in the family home at 88, Sherard Road, Leicester, together with his widowed father, now a shoe trade riveter and his siblings, William and Sarah. In April 1911 George was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Fort Saint George, Madras, India. In the 3rd quarter of 1914, George married Louisa Plumridge in the Leicester district. In the 4th quarter of 1920, George’s widow Louisa married Albert V. Kennedy in the Leicester district, they resided at 15, Paton Street, Leicester.
The War Diary records: 7 Feb-15 – The Battalion were in trenches at Rue de Bois and were bombarded at 10:30am by a heavy Howitzer 43 shells were fired. One man was wounded.
On Tuesday February 6th 1917 The Leicester Mercury published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. CHAWNER.- In loving memory of my dear husband, Pte. G. Chawner, who fell in action in France, Feb. 6th 1915. Gone but not forgotten. Published in the under the same heading. CHAWNER.- In loving memory of Pte. G. Chawner, killed while on duty on 6th Feb. 1915. He bravely answered duty’s call. His life he gave for one and all. But the unknown grave is the bitterest blow. None but an aching heart can know. From Harriett and Joe and Family.
On Saturday March 6th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE WAR.” – A War Office intimation has been received of the death in action in France, on February 7th, “at a place unknown,” of Private Geo. Chawner (7240), who before the war was a reservist of the 1st Leicestershire Regiment. At the outbreak of hostilities he was transferred to the 2nd Leicestershire Regiment. Private Chawner who was a postman in Leicester, had only been married a fortnight before mobilisation was ordered. His young widow lives at 4, Southdown Street.