Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Exton, a general labourer, born 1852 in Oakham, Rutland and his wife Fanny Exton (nee Berridge, married in the 4th quarter of 1875 in the Uppingham, Rutland district), born 1853 in Morcott, Rutland. George Arthur, a schoolboy, was born in the 2nd quarter of 1886 in Oakham and baptised on the 5th September 1886 in the Oakham Parish Church, his siblings were, Mary, a schoolgirl, born 1878, Fanny, a schoolgirl, born 1880, Charles, a schoolboy, born in the 1st quarter of 1883 and baptised on the 6th May 1883 in Oakham Parish Church and Henry, a schoolboy, born 1885, all his siblings were born in Oakham, in April 1891 the family home was at Mount Pleasant, Uppingham Road, Oakham. In March 1901 George was employed as a domestic house and garden boy and was residing in the family home at Mount Pleasant, Uppingham Road, Oakham, together with his father, a general agricultural labourer, his mother and siblings, Hannah, a domestic housemaid, born 1877 in Oakham, Henry, a baker and confectioner’s boy, William, born 1893 and Edward, born 1895, the latter two siblings were both born in Oakham, also residing in the family home was George’s widowed paternal Grandmother, Mary Exton, born 1820 in Manton, Rutland. In April 1911 George was absent from the family home at Mount Pleasant, Uppingham Road, Oakham, residing there was his father, a general labourer, his mother and sibling, Charles, a domestic gardener, George was employed as a domestic gardener and was residing at The Bothy, Springfield, Oakham. His older brother Charles died in hospital in Bangalore, India in September 1918.
George embarked for France on the 6th July 1916, and was reported missing on March 22nd 1918. The 1st Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment on March 21st took part in one of those episodes which covered them with glory. Three German Divisions essayed the task of forcing a British retirement near Epehy during the second Battle of the Somme. Once with the help of Flame throwers they gained a hold of some houses, the Midlander’s dislodged them and a detachment of these men held the farm at Vaucelette and fought to the very last man before it passed into German hands, George is presumed to have been amongst these casualties.
George attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 9th December 1915 in Oakham. He gave his present address as Springfield, Oakham, his age as 29 years and 6 months and his trade or calling as gardener. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Charles Exton of Mount Pleasant, Oakham as his next of kin. He gave his religion as Church of England. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 6 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. After attestation on the 9/12/15 in Oakham he was transferred on the 10/12/15 as Private, service number 25824 to the Army Reserve. Mobilized on the 1/3/16. Posted to the Leicestershire Regiment Depot on the 1/3/16. Posted to the 11th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 1/3/16. Posted to the 12th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the18/3/16. Posted to the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot on the 5/7/16. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 6/7/16. Disembarked on the 6/7/16. Joined the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot in Etaples on the 7/7/16. Posted to the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 13/7/16. Joined the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 2/8/16. Wounded in action, in the field on the 18/8/16. Admitted to the 63rd Field Ambulance suffering from a gunshot wound to the head on the 19/8/16. Transferred to the 30th Casualty Clearing Station on the 19/8/16. Transferred to the 12th Stationary Hospital at St. Pol, suffering from shock on the 27/8/16. Joined the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot at Calais from hospital on the 12/9/16. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 20/9/16. Reported sick on the 31/1/17. Admitted to the 17th Field Ambulance suffering from bronchitis on the 31/1/17. Transferred to the 18th Field Ambulance on the 4/2/17. Discharged to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 18/2/17. Granted leave from the 18/10/17 to the 28/10/17. Reported missing in action, in the field on the 22/3/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 1/3/16 – 4/7/6, 126 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 5/7/16 – 22/3/18, 1 year 261 days. Total service, 2 years 22 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by George’s father Arthur Exton on the 3rd September 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Henry C. Nosh, J.P. for Rutland, Catwole, Oakham on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Charles Exton of 6, Mount Pleasant, Oakham. Mother of soldier, Fanny Exton of 6, Mount Pleasant, Oakham. Full blood brothers of soldier, Harry Exton, age 34 serving on the Rhine. William Exton, age 27 of 21, High Street, Staines, Middlesex. Edward Exton, age 26 of 165, Ashborne Road, Portswood, Southampton. Full blood sisters of soldier, Hannah Pepper, age 43 of Scalford Road Lodge, Melton Mowbray. Mary Towell, age 42 of 27, West Road, Oakham. Fanny Biffen, age 39 of 2, Farrant Street, Queen Street, London. George’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 21 Mar-18 - The Battalion were near VAULX. On the 20th March at midnight a telephone message was received from the Brigade Major ordering the Battalion to “Stand To” in battle positions at 5.30am on the 21st March in accordance with instructions laid down in the 71st Infantry Brigade Defence Scheme. At the time working parties were out as follows:- 6 officers and 216 other ranks from “B,” “D” and Headquarters Companies. 1 officer and 76 other ranks from “A” Company. 1 officer and 76 other ranks from “C” Company. Working parties were ordered to return by Brigade Major. At 4.30am “B” and “A” Companies left camp for the assembly area (I.3.C.) 5 officers and 110 other ranks strong. The working parties not having returned from work. At 5.30am the positions were taken up in the assembly area, “C” Company were already in position. A heavy bombardment commenced at 5.00am. Apparently the alarm this time was a genuine one. At 6.30am 6 officers and 216 other ranks of “B,” “D” and Headquarters Companies reported in assembly area. They had not returned too long from working parties (5.15 am) and were somewhat exhausted, having marched five miles each way to work, and having done a heavy nights work. Some shelling of Battalion assembly area during the morning, but no casualties were sustained. No news was received from “A” Company whose battle position was 1 platoon in C.29.a. Company less one platoon in VAULX – MORCHIES line. At 7.30am wire received from Brigade advising that enemy were concentrating in CORN HILL VALLEY. At 9.30am Commanding Officer visited Brigade Headquarters and received verbal instructions to move 2 Companies owing to the enemy having driven in the left front of the Brigade sector. At 10.40am “C” and “D” Companies were ordered to move. Officer Commanding “C” Company to go to right Battalion Headquarters and place his Company at the disposal of the Officer Commanding 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT, and “D” Company to hold the trench running from LAGNICOURT SWITCH and C.29.b. 10.90 to C.29.b. 90.70 to cover the southern exits from LAGNICOURT, and trenches C.29.b. 90.70 to C.30.a. 30.80. The reasons for the move were that information had been received that the enemy was in LAGNICOURT, and these two Companies were sent forward to protect the left flank of the Brigade, as apparently LAGNICOURT SWITCH was not held and enemy had broken through, reaching C.28.b. 90.90 and the strong point C.29.a between 10.00 and 11.00am. At 10.57am “C” and “D” Companies moved off to take up their new positions. At 2.00pm nothing of note occurred in the vicinity occupied by Battalion Headquarters and “B” Company until at 1.40pm orders came from Brigade that “B” Company was to be ready to move into the VAULX - MORCHIES line and take up a position between LAGNICOURT – MARICOURT WOOD ROAD and VAULX WOOD. Order to move received at 2.00pm. At 2.10pm “B” Company moved off, followed immediately by Battalion Headquarters, move steadily carried out despite very heavy Machine Gun fire in the neighbourhood of VAULX WOOD. The Company and Battalion Headquarters reached the trench with comparatively few casualties. “B” Company took up a position rather too much to the left, but they arrived just in time to eject a few of the enemy who had managed to force an entry into the VAULX - MORCHIES line. The line was too thickly held on the left of our front, and very thinly on the right. Attempts made to side step to the right were fraught with difficulty owing to the trench not being continuous, and the gaps to cross when one had to go over the open were swept by Machine Gun fire and marked down by enemy snipers. No touch could be obtained with the troops on the right of LAGNICOURT – MARICOURT WOOD ROAD, owing to the fact there was no trench line for a considerable distance. At about 4.30pm a runner crossed this road with a message from the Officer Commanding 459th Field Company, saying they were holding the line on the right, but were, so far as they knew unsupported, as they had no touch with troops on either flank. At 5.30pm one Company of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT (25th Division) reported in VAULX - MORCHIES line, they were put in on left of Brigade sector. “B” Company side stepping to the right. Remainder of sector on right as far as LAGNICOURT – MARICOURT WOOD ROAD held by a portion of the 509th Field Company, and one Company of the 11th Battalion of the LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT (“C” Company commanded by Captain SPENCER). At 6.40pm orders were received from Brigade that Battalion Headquarters should move at dusk to Brigade Headquarters in VAULX, Brigade Headquarters is moving to H.12.d between VAULX and BEUGNATRE. At 8.00pm the move was completed Headquarters shared with 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT, 8th BORDER REGIMENT, 1st KING’S SHROPSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY, 2nd YORK AND LANCASTER REGIMENT and 1st EAST KENT REGIMENT (BUFFS). So far, no news at all of “A,” “C” and “D” Companies. One further Company of 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT had been put in the VAULX - MORCHIES line at dusk one immediately on each side of the LAGNICOURT – MARICOURT WOOD ROAD. At 8.30pm a runner arrived from “A” Company with the report that 1 platoon of “A” Company had been practically wiped out at strong point C.29.a during the morning. The remainder of the Company are in battle position in VAULX - MORCHIES line between CRUCIFIX - MORCHIES and C.29.a. 30.20 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT and 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS had also withdrawn to this line, and the disposition in the Brigade sector was:- right to left 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT “A” Company and “C” Company, 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS, 459th Field Company 9 men with a Machine Gun, “D” Company (right at MORCHIES - CRUCIFIX, left at C.29.c. 60.50), 2 Companies of the SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT, “B” and “C” Companies of the 11th Battalion of the LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and 1 Company of the SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. The left of the sector being in line with the North East corner of VAULX WOOD. The strengths of the various units and Companies as far as known at the present time, “A” Company 1 officer and 70 other ranks, “C” Company 1 officer and 37 other ranks, “D” Company 3 officers and 112 other ranks, “B” Company 4 officers and 110 other ranks, Battalion Headquarters 4 officers and 40 other ranks. 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT 120 all ranks, 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS 120 all ranks. Returns came up during the night and were sent to all Companies. Lieutenant G. MANSFIELD returned from leave and joined “D” Company. Lieutenant FRAMPTON 71st TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY joined our “D” Company. Casualties, other ranks “A” Company 6 killed, 22wounded, 24 missing, “B” Company 2 killed, 7 wounded, “C” Company 4 killed, 12 wounded, “D” Company 2 killed, 10 wounded, 1 missing. Officer’s killed, Lieutenant, Acting Captain J. H. HARBOTTLE, Lieutenant C. F. ATTER, Lieutenant C. T. LANCASTER, 2nd Lieutenant G. A. ROBERTS, 2nd Lieutenant N. G. FIDOE. Officer’s wounded Lieutenant C. H. WATSON, 2nd Lieutenant A. G. ESCUDIER, 2nd Lieutenant W. JONES. Officer’s missing Lieutenant J. O. VESSEY M.C., 2nd Lieutenant T. C. A. CLARKE.
The War Diary records: 22 Mar-18 - The Battalion were in the VAULX - MORCHIES line. The night passed fairly quietly. The morning of the 22nd March dawned with a heavy fog and as soon as it was light the enemy put down a very heavy barrage on the VAULX - MORCHIES line and VAULX. During the night in order to concentrate the Battalion, “B” Company had been ordered to side step to the right and get into touch with “D” Company replacing 1 Company of the SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. Advice received during the morning that this was not effected. The Officer Commanding the SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT refusing to move, as he had had no orders. At 8.30 am orders were received from Brigade for Battalion Headquarters to move to dug outs east of MARICOURT WOOD, the Commanding Officer, Adjutant and four Orderlies moved off at 9.00 am leaving the remainder to follow under Captain H. W. J. BROOKER. No dug outs could be found in the place to be occupied, so Battalion Headquarters was established at the CROSS ROADS I.4.d at 10.30 am sharing the same with the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT who had also moved. During the night of the 21st/22nd the 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT and the 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS withdrew from the VAULX - MORCHIES line to a position at I.10.0 central, their places being taken by 1 Company of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. At 11.00 am the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT reported that the enemy had broken through the VAULX - MORCHIES line between C.28.c. 85.15 and C.28.c 40.60. An officer of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT reported a few minutes later that the breach extended from C.28.d. 2.2 to C.27.b. 3.7 on a frontage held by 2 Companies of 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT, 1 Company of the 11th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and 1 Company 8th BORDER REGIMENT. A request was sent to the 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS and 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT to move up to cover valley from line SUNKEN ROAD I.4.c to I.3.d. Defensive flank for high ground east of VAULX WOOD regained by 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT and bombing parties sent forward to recover lost trenches. Reinforcements asked for, for left of Brigade front. At 11.40 am enemy reported massing in C.28.a.b.c.d. Officer Commanding “C” Company 11th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT reported that he had only 37 men left and that enemy were in VAULX WOOD. He was instructed to look after his left flank. 1 officer and 40 other ranks of 11th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT who had come from VAULX - MORCHIES line reported at Battalion Headquarters. At 2.00 pm “B” Company reported that they had gained some ground in bombing up the VAULX - MORCHIES line, and were continuing the bombing attack with the help of 1 officer and 60 other ranks of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. MARICOURT WOOD and the vicinity of Battalion Headquarters were heavily shelled throughout the morning. At 2.30 pm heavy bombardment by both sides opened on the right of the Brigade front. At 3.15 pm enemy seen from Battalion Headquarters pouring into VAULX - MORCHIES line between LAGNICOURT – MARICOURT WOOD ROAD and VAULX WOOD. At 3.45 pm the breach this time was effective and the situation was becoming very grave. The withdrawal became somewhat disorderly and the enemy came rapidly through C.28 to I.4., C.29.d and MORCHIES. A Ridge in I.10.a and c was held by our Machine gunners, and troops withdrawing were collected and an orderly withdrawal instituted to the partially consolidated line in I.10 central. Up to this time only 1 man (wounded, belonging to “B” Company) of the Battalion had come back from the VAULX - MORCHIES line. At 4.30 pm the enemy brought up his light machine guns with great rapidity and was soon putting up a strong barrage with them along the valley in I.10 central and the ridges east and west of it. This valley and the heights were thickly held by troops of 25th Division. An immediate counter attack was urgently required if the VAULX - MORCHIES line was to be regained, but all the troops holding the new line had orders that they were on no account to move forward. The line ran through C.11.c, I.10.d, I.10.c and I.9.d. Eventually a number of Tanks (about 16) in the visible front came forward and under very heavy shell and Machine Gun fire advanced as far as the VAULX - MORCHIES line with most of the enemy retiring before them. This Tank attack was not supported by infantry and gradually petered out as the Tanks became casualties or used up all their ammunition. At 9.00 pm the remnants of the 3 Battalions of the Brigade were:- 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT about 40 all ranks under Lieutenant Colonel F. LATHAM, D.S.O. 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT about 80 all ranks under Lieutenant C. P. BASSENTHWAITE. 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS about 40 all ranks under Captain GILES were disposed in sections of trench in valley in I.10.c with Battle Headquarters at I.10.d.10.90. The night passed quietly. Casualties, other ranks “A” Company 6 killed, 14 wounded, 46 missing, “B” Company 3 killed, 14 wounded, 83 missing, “C” Company 6 killed, 21 wounded, 49 missing, “D” Company 1 killed, 12 wounded, 113 missing. Officer casualties Lieutenant Acting Captain F. E. SHELTON killed, 2nd Lieutenant G. MANSFIELD wounded and missing, Lieutenant Acting Captain J.H. JOHN missing, Lieutenant B. C. LAWRENCE missing, 2nd Lieutenant O. C. HARPER missing, 2nd Lieutenant A. H. BAGSHAW missing, 2nd Lieutenant A. C. ANSELL missing, 2nd Lieutenant M. MILLS missing, Lieutenant Acting Captain S. T. HARTSHORNE wounded remained at duty, Captain F. TAYLOR (U.S.M.S.) wounded remained at duty.
On Friday May 3rd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “INFORMATION REQUIRED.” – Official notification has been given that Pte. G. A. Exton, 25824, 1st Leicester’s, 12th Platoon, C Company, B.E.F., France, has been missing since March 22nd. His sister Mrs. Pepper, Scalford-road Lodge, Melton Mowbray, would esteem it a great favour if anyone could give her information concerning him.