Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Street, a stone mill engine driver, born 1867 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire and his wife Martha Street (nee Seaton, married on the 11th February 1889 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel), born 1871 in Mountsorrel. George Edward, was born in the 3rd quarter of 1894 in Mountsorrel, his siblings were, Harriet, born on the 30th May 1890 and Henrietta, born on the 26th January 1896, both siblings were born in Mountsorrel, in March 1901 the family home was at Watling Street, Mountsorrel. In April 1911 George was employed as a shoe trade worker and was residing in the family home at Watling Street, Mountsorrel together with his father, a a quarry works stoker, his mother, a midwife and siblings, Harriet, a shoe trade worker, Henrietta, a shoe trade worker, Lucy Ellen, born in the 4th quarter of 1905 and Muriel, born in the 3rd quarter of 1908, the latter two siblings were both born in Mountsorrel.
George’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Leicestershire Regiment, Territorial Force, being allotted the service number 2207, and was posted as a Private to that Regiment’s Depot for training, subsequently being posted to the 1/5th Battalion. It was with this Battalion that he first entered the theatre of war when the 1/5th Battalion landed at Le Havre, France on the 28th February 1915. Nothing further is known of his military service until he was officially recorded as having been killed in action on the 25th September 1915, his body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres, Belgium. George was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. George’s parents were awarded a weekly Army Pension of five shillings, to commence on the 9th May 1916.
The War Diary Records: 25 Sept-15 - TRENCHES. At 3.50am bombardment of HOOGE. Enemy replied and also shelled A1 and 50. At 5.56am Straw which had been put out by night was lighted in front of 50. Smoke bombs were thrown from 49 and A1. This promptly drew fire. 50 and A1 were heavily shelled and 49 trench mortared. Artillery telephone communication lost but 3rd LINCOLNSHIRE Battery and 2nd DERBYSHIRE Howitzer fired over 50 and 49 and later 4th STAFFORDSHIRE Battery. About 7.l5am bombardment ended and the rest of the day was fairly quiet.
On Monday, October 4th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Three Mountsorrel Men Killed. -Information has been received at Mountsorrel that Sergeant John Burnham and Private G. Street have been killed in action in Flanders. Both young men belonged to the 1/5 Leicestershire Territorial’s. Sergeant Burnham, who joined the Territorial’s some time previous to the outbreak of the war, was well known and respected in the village, and much sympathy is felt with his parents, who reside in Hawcliffe-road. Burnham was 28 years of age, and was with Mr. M. Webster, building contractor, for a number of years. Private Street’s parents reside in Watling-street. He was 21 years of age, and was an employee of the Mountsorrel Granite Company. On the receipt of the sad news flags were flying half mast at the works of the company. Private Alf Woolston, of the 1/5 Leicestershire Regiment, is also reported to have fallen a victim to a sniper. His two brothers, who were with him at the time, have been allowed a few days leave from the trenches to visit their parents, who reside on the Green. The unfortunate lad was only 19 years of age, and was previously employed at the Quarries. Many expressions of sympathy have been extended towards the parents in their sad loss.
On Friday October 8th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – THREE MOUNTSORREL MEN KILLED. Information has been received at Mountsorrel that Sergeant John Burnham and Private G. Street have been killed in action in Flanders. Both young men belonged to the 1/5th Leicestershire Territorial’s. Sergeant Burnham, who joined the Territorial’s some time previous to the outbreak of the war, was well known and respected in the village, and much sympathy is felt with his parents, who reside at Hawcliffe-road. Burnham was 28 years of age, and was with Mr. F. Webster, building contractor, for a number of years. Private Street’s parents reside in Watling-street. He was 21 years of age, and was an employee of the Mountsorrel Granite Company. On the receipt of the sad news flags were flying half mast at the works of the company. Private Alf Woolston, of the 1/5th Leicestershire Regiment, is reported to have fallen victim to a sniper. His two brothers who were with him at the time have been allowed a few days leave from the trenches to visit their parents, who reside on the Green. The unfortunate lad was only 19 years of age, and was previously employed at the Quarries. Many expressions of sympathy have been extended towards the parents in their loss.
On Thursday, October 14th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. – LOCAL CASUALIES – Private GEORGE STREET, whose parents reside in Watling-street, Mountsorrel, was killed in action in France on September 25th. He was 21 years of age and joined the 5th Battalion Leicester Regiment on the outbreak of the war, having some time previously been in the Royal Marines. He was an old boy of St. Peter’s School, and a bugler in the local troop of B. P. Scouts. He was for the last five years employed by the School Boot Company, Mountsorrel. In a letter to his parents, the lieutenant of the Company writes: “He was popular with all, and he will be greatly missed. He was under me from the time he joined the battalion, and all the while I have known him he proved himself a model of cheerfulness and willingness. He died as he had lived – a good soldier.”
On Friday October 15th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – THREE MOUNTSORREL SOLDIERS KILED. Sergeant John E. Burnham, of the 1/5th Leicestershire Territorial’s, who was killed in action at Hooge on September 25th, belonged to Mountsorrel, and was 24 years of age. He had been a member of the Soar Valley Territorial’s for some time before the outbreak of war. He was a well known worker at the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and was with Mr. Edward Webster for a number of years. Private Alfred Woolston, of the 1/5th Leicestershire Territorial’s, has been killed somewhere in France. Deceased whose two brothers are with the colours, was 19 years of age, and was one of the first of the men of Mountsorrel to volunteer for active service. He was previously employed with the Mountsorrel Granite Co., who showed their sympathy by flying their flags at half mast at their works on receipt of the sad news. Private George Street, whose parents reside in Watling-street, Mountsorrel, was killed in action in France on September 25th. He was 21 years of age, and joined the 5th Battalion Leicester Regiment on the outbreak of the war, having some time previously been in the Royal Marines. He was an old boy of St. Peter’s School, and a bugler in the local troop of B.P. Scouts. He was for the last five years employed by the School Boot Co., Mountsorrel. In a letter to his parents, the Lieutenant of the Company writes:- He was popular with all, and he will be greatly missed. He was under me from the time he joined the battalion, and all the while I have known him he proved himself a model of cheerfulness and willingness. He died as he had lived – a good soldier.