Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Hemstock, a milk seller, born in the July quarter of 1866 in Prestwold, Leicestershire (son of John Hemstock, 1838 and Ann Spencer, 1844) and his wife Ada Hemstock (nee Holwell), married on the 10th June 1890 in St. Mary’s Church, Wymeswold, Leicestershire), born in the October quarter of 1867 in Wymeswold, Leicestershire (daughter of William Whye, 1838-1881 and Sarah Ann Holwell, 1844-1932). George Walter was born in the January quarter of 1894 in Loughborough and baptised on the 9th May 1894 in Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, his siblings were, Ada Esther, born in the October quarter of 1890 and baptised on the 10th March 1893 in Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, John William, born in the April quarter of 1892 and baptised on the 10th March 1893 in Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, Arthur Edward, born in the April quarter of 1895 and baptised on the 10th May 1895 in Emmanuel Church, Loughborough and Frank Louis (Lewis), born in the July quarter of 1900 and baptised on the 19th July 1900 in Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, all his siblings were born in Loughborough, in March 1901 the family home was at 7, Bedford Street, Loughborough. In April 1911 George was employed as an office worker and was residing in the family home at 22, Bedford Street, Loughborough, together with his father, a milk seller, his mother and siblings, Ada, a dressmaker, John, a milk seller, Arthur, and twins, Charles Eric and Ellen Irene, born on the 10th July 1904 and baptised on the 3rd August 1904 in Emmanuel Church, Loughborough, the twins were born in Loughborough. In the October quarter of 1916 George married Ada Henson in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district, Ada was born on the 9th July 1895 in Loughborough and after marriage they resided at 14, Oxford Street, Loughborough, the home of Ada’s parents.
George’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers. All that is known of George’s period of military service is that he had enlisted/attested in Fulham, Middlesex into the London Regiment (Territorial Force), and had been allotted the service number 5122. He is then recorded as having been posted as a Rifleman to the 1/6th Battalion of the London Regiment (City of London Rifles) With the exception of the War Diary entries, that relate to his Battalions movements and daily occurrences, there is no information regarding George’s military service, however it is known that he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 26th January 1917, and on a date unknown was transferred to the 2/6th Battalion of his Regiment, furthermore under the Army Council Instruction of 1917 that promulgated a new numbering system for all Territorial Force units, he was allotted the service number 322331. On the 3rd June 1917 he was officially reported as having been killed in action. In the Field. He was buried in H.A.C. Cemetery, Ecoust-St.-Mein, France. George was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. On the 18th December 1917, George’s widow was awarded a weekly Army Pension of thirteen shillings and nine pence, to commence on the 24th December 1917.
The War Diary records: 1-2 Jun-17 -Night – BULLECOURT. Relieved 2/7th Battalion LONDON REGIMENT in BULLECOURT. “D” Company right front. “B” Company right support. “C” Company left front. “A” Company left support. Left support in new position further east. Battalion Headquarters in new position near embankment. 1 Other rank killed. 5 Other ranks wounded. (Appendix A).
The War Diary records: 3 Jun-17 – BULLECOURT. 2nd Lieutenant A. S. HILL died of wounds. 6 Other Ranks killed. 5 Other ranks wounded.
On Friday May 31st 1918 The Loughborough Echo published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” “IN MEMORIAM.” HEMSTOCK. – In loving memory of Rfn. G. W. Hemstock, who was killed in action on June 3rd 1917.
“He sleeps, to waken to a glad Tomorrow.”
From his loving wife Ada.
HEMSTOCK. – In ever loving memory of Rfn. George Walter Hemstock, City of London Rifles, second son of Mr. and Mrs. Hemstock, 90, Bedford-street, killed at Bullecourt, June 3rd, 1917, aged 23 years.
“Brave and true.”