Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Fred Highfield, a retired saddler, born 1848 in Ollerton, Nottinghamshire and his wife Maria Highfield (nee Smith, married on the 23rd July 1881 in St. Matthew’s Church, Nottingham), born 1860 in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. George Harold was born in the 3rd quarter of 1891 in Kimberley, Nottinghamshire, he had one brother, Fred Cholerton, born 13th October 1893 in Kimberley, in March 1901 the family home was at High Street, Ollerton. In April 1911 George was a student teacher and was residing in the family home at 120, Holme Road, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, together with his widowed mother and brother Fred, a chemist’s apprentice, also residing with the family was his maternal Aunt, Sarah Ann Clay, born 1851 in Beeston. George also had the following older siblings, Arthur, born 1885 and Bertha, born 1883, both siblings were born in Nottingham.
George attended Nottingham University and obtained a degree in 1911. At the outbreak of war he was an assistant master at Coalville Grammar School, and he volunteered as a private in the Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment. The following month he was given a commission in the York and Lancaster Regiment and embarked for France on the 30th April 1915, taking part in the second Battle of Ypres. On the 4th July the trench which he had charge of near Kemmel was severely shelled by the German’s during the day, managing to extricate his men during this heavy shelling, they returned by night to carry out repairs, during this operation he was shot and died within six hours.
The War Diary records: 3 Jul-15 – YORK HOUSE. 4.00pm. Situation normal. The enemy fired common shell and shrapnel at new trench between 11.30am and 1.30pm. Wind South West slight.
6.00pm. A shell fell near officers dug-outs in L3 and killed two of the servants, two others being wounded.
10.00pm. Officers Commanding “A” and “C” Companies reported that there was a trace of gas in the air. It was found afterwards due to gas shells.
2nd Lieutenant G. H. HIGHFIELD was hit in the arm and chest while superintending the rebuilding of the parapet where it had been knocked down by a shell. He died of his wounds in the Dressing station.
The War Diary records: 4 Jul-15 – YORK HOUSE. 4.00am. Situation normal, wind Westerly.
11.00am. Situation normal, wind South East increasing.
12.00 noon. Casualty Report. 2nd Lieutenant G. H. HIGHFIELD died of wounds, killed one, died of wounds one, wounded four.
2.50pm. Report from Brigade. EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT report that enemy transport distinctly heard about 11.00pm behind PETIT BOIS. Arrange to fire your rifle battery if this noise is heard tonight.
4.30pm. Situation normal, wind South Easterly mild.
Report from Brigade. Following wire from 151 Brigade. Artillery have reported enemy noticed laying sandbags and making a circular work at N.30.a.4.4. Probably the work referred to is the prominent entrenchment in front of F.5. Artillery also reported that close by work to a line of objects looking like drums or cylinders. Troops in F.5 have been ordered to keep close watch. The Brigadier visited the trenches in the morning and remarked on the amount of work that had been done by the men. He was much impressed by the improvement in the trenches and complimented the Battalion its achievement.
10.00pm. 2nd Lieutenant G. H. HIGHFIELD was buried at the cemetery at KEMMEL. The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant WALES, Lieutenant GRIFFIN and the Adjutant were present.
Brigade Operation Orders No.41.
Brigade Operation Orders No.42.
On Saturday 10th July 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – COALVILLE GRAMMAR SCHOOL MASTER. – Killed in Action. Many friends and associates of Mr. G. H. Highfield, one of the masters of the Coalville Grammar School, will regret to hear he was killed in action recently. He had a brief connection with Coalville school, but was immensely popular with the pupils and gained a wide circle of acquaintances by his happy and kindly disposition. He belonged to West Bridgford, and received a commission in the 3rd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment in November, through the Nottingham University College Officers Training Corps. The Coalville Grammar School boys had, in their late teacher an active and valuable scout master, since Lieutenant Highfield, when he was appointed to the Coalville Grammar School, was a scout master of the West Bridgford Troop of Boys Scouts.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday October 9th, 1914

Do You Know

That Mr G. H. Highfield, a former master at the Coalville Grammar School has joined the army?

Coalville Times article - Friday July 9th, 1915

We regret to hear that Mr Highfield, a former assistant master at the Coalville Grammar School, who was very popular with his colleagues and the scholars, has been killed in action. He was a Lieut. in the 3rd York and Lancaster Regiment and had been at the front eight weeks. His parents reside at Oakham and received the official news yesterday.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 16th 1915

Former Grammar Schoolmaster Killed in Action.

The news of the death of 2nd. Lieut. G. H. Highfield, killed in action on Sunday, July 4th, has occasioned much regret in Hugglescote, Coalville and district. The deceased officer was formerly an assistant master at the Coalville Grammar School and by his genial manner and painstaking efforts in his profession, he had endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact.

Lieut. Highfield left Coalville just before the outbreak of war to take an appointment as assistant master at Whitley Bay, but he never entered upon his duties there, as when hostilities commenced in August, he immediately offered his services to his country, sacrificing his profession for the time being as thousands more gallant fellows have done. At first he failed to pass the army doctor on account of defective teeth, but he was determined and when he tried again a few weeks later he was accepted.

He was awarded a commission in the 3rd York and Lancaster Regiment, and it is of local interest to note that he was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant by the late Col. Broughton (brother of the Hugglescote Vicar) just before he met with his unfortunate accident. The deceased had only been at the front eight weeks. Lieut. Highfield was about 25 years of age. He came to Coalville from West Bridgford, and at both places he acted as master of a troop of boy scouts raised at the school. He also threw himself heartily into the games of the school and was a great favourite with the boys. His sterling work also won for him the cordial approval of his superiors and no one regretted his removal from Coalville more than the head master, Dr. Lloyd Storr-Best. He was the youngest of three brothers, another of whom is with the forces in Egypt, while the eldest, who is married, is engaged in Government work in London. Much sympathy is felt for the widowed mother who resides at Oakham.

A memorial service for the deceased officer was held at Coalville Grammar School on Tuesday morning, Canon Broughton conducting.

It will be remembered that at the last prize day at the school, it was announced that Lieut. Highfield had been given a commission and it was decided to send a telegram of congratulations from that gathering.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 5/9/2017