Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Sarah Rue, a hosiery trade worker, born 1878 in Loughborough, Leicestershire. George was born in the 2nd quarter of 1899 in Loughborough, in March 1901 he was residing at 76, Woodgate, Loughborough, this being the family home of his maternal Grandfather, George Rue, a general labourer, born 1839 in Leicestershire and his wife Anne Rue (nee Hill, married in the 4th quarter of 1859 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district), born 1837 in Shepshed, Leicestershire. In April 1911 George was residing at 79, Woodgate, Loughborough, together with his widowed maternal Grandmother and mother, a fruiterer and florist.
The War Diary records: 31 Oct-18 – BOHAIN & BAZUEL. (R.8.a.8.5.). Battalion Headquarters moved to BAZUEL. “B” Company moved to ST. SOUPLET. “C” Company relieved “D” Company 6th Battalion MACHINE GUN CORPS in the line. (WASSIGNY 1/40,000).
The War Diary records: 1 Nov-18 – BAZUEL. (R.8.a.8.5.). Situation normal. “B” Company prepared and occupied barrage positions.
The War Diary records: 2 Nov-18 – BAZUEL. (R.8.a.8.5.). Casualties:- 2nd Lieutenant H. O. SKITT wounded. 2 Other ranks killed. 19 Other ranks wounded. 96th Infantry Brigade attacked the high ground near HAPPEGARBE, “B” Company putting down barrages in support. One section of “C” Company advanced with the attacking infantry and one sub section fired direct along the railway cutting in G.26 afterwards pushing forwards also. All objectives were taken and one counter attack repulsed. A second one however in great force preceded by gas and high explosive bombardment forced our retirement to original positions. (Sheets 57A and 57B 1/40,000 Appendix I).
APPENDIX I
Report on Operations commencing 06.00 hours on 2.11.1918.
“B” and “C” Companies, 32nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps co-operated with 96th Infantry Brigade as follows:-
“B” Company formed two batteries of 8 guns at L.30.c.8.7. (right battery) and L.24.c.8.8. (left battery.
Right Battery put down two barrages simultaneously from Zero to Zero plus 45 minutes on areas enclosed by points –
1) G.32.b.9.1., G.33.a.2.7., G.33.b.1.5., G.33.c.8.7.
2) G.33.a.9.0., G.33.b.3.8., G.33.b.9.6., G.33.d.8.8.
Left Battery put down a barrage from Zero to Zero plus 45 minutes on area enclosed by points – G.26.b.9.3., G.21.c.1.1., G.27.b.9.8., G.27.d.6.7.
“B” Company’s guns were withdrawn after the barrage.
“C” Company. 2 guns at L.30.c.4.0. barraged area enclosed by points G.32.a.9.6., G.26.d.1.0., G.32.b.9.6., G.32.b.7.2. from Zero to Zero plus 45.
2 guns in L.30.c. fired direct along the Railway cutting in G.26 from Zero to Zero plus 2 and then moved along the cutting and took up positions at G.27.a.0.6.
4 other guns moved forward with the attacking infantry and occupied positions as follows:- 2 at G.26.c.4.8. and 2 at G.20.d.5.8.
Rounds fired.
95,000 rounds in all were expended.
During the action battery positions were fairly heavily shelled with Gas and High Explosive which apparently was area shooting and not aimed fire on the positions. Gun teams were well dug in and very few casualties occurred whilst in position.
Casualties, which were fairly heavy were mainly suffered in going forward to take up barrage positions and also whilst withdrawal was in progress.
A counter attack developed at 10.30 hours coming from direction of LANDRECIES and up the gulley in G.21.c. This was repulsed. A further counter attack developed in great force about 16.00 hours preceded by heavy Gas and High Explosive bombardment. Great execution was done by Machine Guns who were finally compelled to withdraw to their original positions after covering the withdrawal of the infantry. Two teams and guns are missing up to the present.
F.C. Albans, Lieutenant Colonel,
Commanding 32nd Battalion Machine Gun Corps.
2.11.1918.