Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Willcox (Willcocks), a shoe trade rivetter, born in the January quarter of 1866 in Leicester (son of William Willcocks, 1840-1908 and Sarah Ann Hammond, 1845-1915) and his wife Ann Jane Willcocks, a hosiery trade machinist (nee Norman, married on the 25th December 1884 in All Saint’s Church, Leicester), born in the July quarter of 1867 in Oadby, Leicestershire and baptised on the 4th August 1867 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby (daughter of Jane Norman). George was born in the April quarter of 1890 in Oadby, his siblings were, Mary Ann, born on the 26th September 1886 and baptised on the 6th May 1901 in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby and Horace Arnold, born in the January quarter of 1888, both his siblings were born in Oadby, also residing in the family home was George’s maternal uncle, George Taylor, a shoe trade riveter, born in the July quarter of 1873 in Oadby, in April 1891 the family home was at Main Street, Stonton Wyville, Leicestershire. In March 1901 George was residing in the family home at London Road, Oadby, together with his father, a shoe trade laster, his mother, a hosiery trade yarn winder and his siblings, Mary, a hosiery trade machinist and Horace, a shoe trade clicker. George married Florence Lucy Cox on the 26th December 1910 in St. Peter’s Church, Leicester, the officiant was H. Luscombe and the witnesses were Horace A. Willcocks and Lavinia J. Phillips. In April 1911 George was absent from the family home, his wife Florence, born on the 27th June 1890 in Leicester was residing at 58, Waring Street, Leicester, this being the family home of her father, William Isaac Cox, a shoe trade finisher, born 1871 in Peterborough, Northamptonshire and his wife Mary Jane Cox, born 1871 in Leicester. George and Florence later lived at 18, Marston Street, off Upper Kent Street, Leicester. George’s older brother, Horace died on the 2nd December 1918, from pulmonary tuberculosis contracted while on active service.
FAMILY NOTE: George’s widow married Private John James Grant, No.2827 of the 17th Lancers, on the 7th December, 1916 in Leicester, they resided at 94, Charnwood Street, Leicester.
George enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 21st September 1906 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 7997. He gave his place of birth as Oadby, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 4 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand.
He confirmed that he was presently serving with the 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regiment – Militia.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 21st September 1906 and recorded his birthplace as Oadby, Leicestershire, declared age as 18 years 3 months, trade or occupation as shoe hand, that he was 5-feet 6 inches in height, weighed 128 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches, his physical development was described as good, his vision was described as R.E.-V=6/6 L.E.-V=6/6. Enlisted at Leicester on the 21st September 1906. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regiment.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 18 years 4 months, height 5-feet 6 inches weight 128 lbs, chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was sandy. The following distinctive marks were noted, tattoo, outer aspect of right forearm, clasped hands. Oval scar over his left collar bone. Several scars over left thumb. He gave his religion as Presbyterian.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 21st September 1906. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his father, George, mother, Annie, brother, (o) Horace Arnold, sister, (o) Polly, 16, King Street, Oadby, Leicestershire.
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. 21/9/06.
Posted. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 21/9/06.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. Shorncliffe. 21/12/06.
-?- of pay for absence from 10/4/09 to 16/4/09.
Posted. To Aldershot. 5/1/10.
Transferred. To Army Reserve Section “B” under Paragraph 367 King’s Regulations. Authority W.O. Letter No.115/AR/Gen. No.675 (AG2B-Reclg. D/- 29/4/12). Pte. 25/5/12.
Mobilized. 5/8/14.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 5/8/14.
Killed in action. Place not known. In the Field. 23/10/14.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 21/9/06 – 23/10/14. 8 years 33 days.
Total Service. 8 years 33 days.
He was awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On the 22nd May 1915, George’s widow, Florence Lucy was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of ten shillings, commensurate on the 24th May 1915, upon her re-marriage on the 7th December 1916 she received a re-marriage gratuity of £51.11.5 that was paid on the 19th December 1917.
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: 23 Oct-14 - (Friday) At the CHEMICAL FACTORY at RUE DU BOIS, they held the trenches and were attacked at dawn and again at 4.30pm. Both attacks were beaten off, they were heavily shelled all day. Casualties were Captain GRUCHY killed, Lieutenant BAYFIELD wounded, six other ranks were killed and twenty-one were wounded.
On Friday November 27th 1914, The Leicester Journal published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” – Information has reached Leicester that Private George Wilcox, of B Company, 1st Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on October 24th. Private Wilcox was born at Oadby.
On Saturday November 28th 1914, The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL ROLL OF HONOUR. – BROTHERS WHO DIED FOR KING AND COUNTRY. We have been furnished with the following particulars of casualties to local men: – Two brothers, whose home was at Drayton, Leicestershire, have been killed fighting for their country. One was Arthur Edward Stokes, an Able Seaman (Reservist), who was on the Good Hope, lost on November 1. He was aged 25. His brother, Private Edgar Stokes, also a Reservist, of C Company, 1st Northamptonshire Regiment, was killed in action at Ypres on October 31. He was aged 27, and was formerly in the Birmingham City Police force. Their father, Mr. G. T. Stokes of Drayton, writes notifying those of the sad loss, and adds with reference to the soldiers and sailors generally. “We ought to be proud of our men’s splendid conduct, and of their cheerful and enduring pluck.” Information has reached Leicester that Private George Wilcox, of B Company, 1st Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on October 24th. Private Wilcox was born at Oadby, was 24 years of age, and had been in the army for six years. His home was at 18, Marston Street.
[recognitum I-VI-MMXXIII]