Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Jacob Andrews, a house painter, born on the 12th September 1865 in Little Shelford, Cambridgeshire and baptised on the 5th November 1865 in the Church of SS. Mary & Andrew, Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire (son of George Frederick Andrews and Emma Thompson) and his wife Mary Elizabeth Andrews (nee Clarke, married on the 25th December 1889 in the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Ravenstone, Leicestershire), born in the January quarter of 1860 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire (daughter of Thomas Clarke and Ann Rayson). George Thomas was born on the 10th December 1894 in Ravenstone and was baptised on the 30th December 1894 in the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Ravenstone, his siblings were Jake Clarke, born on the 4th February 1891 in Ravenstone and baptised on the 1st March 1891 in the Church of St. Michael and All Angels, Ravenstone, Agnes Lilian Daisy, born on the 9th December 1892 in Winshill, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire and baptised on the 1st January 1893 in St. Mark’s Church, Winshill and Leonard, born on the 24th May 1898 in Bedford, in March 1901 the family home was at Windmill Lane, Kettering, Northamptonshire. In April 1911 George was absent from the family home at Church Lane, Ravenstone, residing there was his mother and siblings, Jacob, a coal miner, Agnes, Leonard and Albert Edgar, born in the July quarter of 1902 in Kettering, meanwhile George was employed as a farm cowman and was residing as a servant at Berry Hills, Snibston, Leicestershire. George’s older brother Jake, fell in action on the 7th November 1914.
Upon leaving school George was employed as a miner at Ibstock Colliery, he was a member of the Ravenstone Church Sunday School and later the Bible Class. After enlistment he spent nearly two months under canvas on the High Tor of Charnwood Forest, also training at the Drill Hall in Loughborough, and the Institute at Thringstone, Leicestershire. He embarked for France in early 1915 and met his death when the Germans detonated a mine under his front-line trench (number 50), which was close to the famous Hill 60 in the Ypres salient of Belgium. Captain J. L. Griffiths in a letter to his parents wrote: - “It is with much regret that I have to write to tell you of the loss of your son Private George Andrews on Friday night last. The enemy exploded a mine immediately under the trench where your son was standing. Every search has been made for him but unfortunately, we have been unable to find him, and this will always be the case. We shall erect a cross where your son was last seen. George was a very good and cheerful soldier and will be much missed by his officers and comrades. Kindly accept my sincere sympathy and also that of the whole of my company in your sad bereavement.”
George enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 16th September 1914 in Coalville, Leicestershire, and was allotted the service number 2555. He gave his place of birth as Ravenstone, Leicestershire and age as 19 years 285 days. He gave his trade or calling as driller.
His medical examination took place in Coalville on the 11th September 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 19 years 285 days, that he was 5 feet 6¼ inches in height, weighed 132 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had hazel eyes and his hair colour was brown. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father Jacob Andrews, mother Mary E. Andrews, brother Leonard Andrews and sister Agnes Andrews, Ravenstone, Leicestershire
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 14/9/15.
Posted. 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 14/9/14.
Embodied service to commence. 17/9/14.
Embarked. With the 1/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. To join the British Expeditionary Force in France. 26/2/15.
Landed. Le Havre, France. 27/2/15.
Missing after a mine explosion. In the Field. 23/7/15.
Reported. Killed in action. 23/7/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 17/6/14 – 27/2/15. 164 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 28/2/15 – 23/7/15. 146 days.
Total service 310 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Georges surviving service record amounts to a total of twelve pages, and these are in very poor condition, the hand written information in some cases is barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of service.
The War Diary records: 23 Jul-15 - ZILLEBEKE. At 6.55 pm small mine exploded under enemy’s gallery opposite A.1. At 7.00 pm exploded large mine under enemy’s salient. At 7.01 pm artillery opened fire on crater and enemy supports. The redoubt in salient completely destroyed. Enemy’s casualties estimated at 40. At 9.22 pm enemy exploded large mine in front of trench 5.B destroying portions of parapet and inflicting 40 casualties. Enemy trench mortared the crater, thus hindering work of rescue and of linking crater with line of defences. 2nd Lieutenant’s R. C. LAWTON, E. E. WYNNE and N. C. MARRIOTT having arrived from England have been taken on the strength of the Battalion Officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the 17th Division were attached to the Battalion for instruction during the last tour of duty. This remedied to some extent the wastage in the Battalion which at one time contained only 9 Company officers and 474 trench rifles.
On Friday August 6th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MORE STORIES BY EYE WITNESSES.” – GRAPHIC DETAILS. A Melton Mowbray Territorial belonging to No.5 Platoon, “B” Company, 5th Battalion Leicestershire Territorials, writes the following interesting letter: - “I hope by now you know that I am quite safe. It was awful, but you know we have to expect anything out here. Our Engineers had just blown up two mines, and we had seen sandbags, men, buckets, and other things go up in the air. We were saying we should have something to tell the people in Melton when we get home again when there was the biggest crash I have ever heard. I was the end man of our trench, and there were F. Linnett, P. Underwood, and Jerry Boulger with me. Before I had time to move, the dirt and other things were dropping on me. I thought it would never stop, but when it did, I jumped up and got my rifle, and I was ready if anyone came. The other three ran up the trench to see what they could do. Well, I cannot describe to you what the trench looked like. If the mine had been about 6 yards further there would not have been many of the Melton men left. While some of our men were firing the others were digging the men out who were buried. Poor Arthur Rogers was the first man to be got out, but he was dead. Then others followed – Arch. Marston, Syd. Newton, J. Atter, H. Plowman, B. Newton - and I think they are getting on all right. (A subsequent letter from the same writer states that Plowman has since died in hospital). Some of the others got out themselves, and either started firing or digging. It was marvellous to see how the men behaved, and it has been noticed and appreciated by the General. We got other men out, poor fellows they were dead, Sgt. Bunn, from Uppingham, leaves six children, and poor Walter Simpson leaves a widow and one child, the others were Cpl. W. Ibbetson, and Ptes. Pennington Foister, Pick, Wilson and Rogers from Melton, and Ptes. Hall, Gray, Buswell, Andrews from Coalville and district. Of course, there were others who had to go out of the trench suffering from shock. It was our Platoon who caught it, and out of about 40 who went to the trenches nine of us marched out again. Aaron Sharp and J. Ruddle got blown up in the air, and dropped in a trench at the back. Aaron says he thinks Jimmy Ruddle started first up in the air, but he doesn't know who dropped first. Jimmy Atter was buried for three hours, and when G. Boulger got him out he said: ‘Hello Jerry! I never remember being buried alive before.’ When they took him away, he said: ‘I should think this means another bar on my medal.’ I think we had sixteen killed this time in, and I don’t know how many wounded. One thing we are still smiling, and looking forward to better times. I am enclosing a copy of a letter which we had sent to us by the Officer Commanding. I want you to keep smiling, and don't get downhearted, for, as you know, it might have been worse. You will hear all about it in the papers. What I am pleased about is that we never left the trench, and what Germans came soon went back who were not shot. Thanks so much for the box you sent. The contents were lovely and they were a treat. I divided them among the chaps who were left in our platoon. I know you will not mind, for you know how the chaps felt. I had a double box of Tangerine oranges, box of tomatoes, one of apples, and fifteen hundred Woodbines, and three pounds of Gold Flake tobacco. Walter came to our place, but I was in the trenches. I expect he will come again. Don't forget to tell everyone I know that I am still smiling. If anyone wants a bit of excitement tell them to join the army. I'm having the time of my life and it will take more than this to upset me.”
On Friday, October 22nd, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – OTHER LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Private G. T. ANDREWS, of the 1/5th Leicester’s, was killed in action on July 23. He was the younger brother of Lance-Corpl. J. C. Andrews, 1st Bedford’s killed in November, 1914, at Ypres, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrews of Ravenstone.
On Saturday, October 30th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTER’S WHO HAVE FALLEN.” – (A photograph accompanied the article) – Pte. G. T. ANDREWS, 1st/5th Leicester’s, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrews, Ravenstone; 20 years.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday, 6th August, 1915.

"Mr J. Andrews, of Ravenstone, yesterday received a letter from Capt. Griffiths, stating that the body of his son, Pte. George Andrews, (whose death is reported on page 8) has been found and decently buried by an officer."

Coalville Times article - Friday, 6th August, 1915.

RAVENSTONE BROTHERS KILLED

Much sympathy is felt for Mr J. Andrews, painter, of Ravenstone, and Mrs Andrews, on the death of their son, Pte. Geo. Andrews, of the 5th Leicestershire Territorial Regiment, who was killed in action on July 23rd and is the second son they have lost in the war.

The news was conveyed in the following letter dated July 27th from Capt. J. G. Griffiths, commanding B. Company, of the 5th Leicestershire Regiment.

“It is with much regret that I have to write to tell you of the loss of your son, Pte. G. Andrews, on Friday night last, when the enemy exploded a mine immediately under the trench where your son was standing. Every search has been made for him, but unfortunately, we have been unable to find him and I am afraid he will not now be found. We shall erect a cross to his memory at the spot where he was last seen. Your son was always a good and cheerful soldier and will be much missed by his officers and comrades. Kindly accept my sincere sympathy and also that of the whole of my company in your sad bereavement.”

Pte. G. Andrews enlisted in August last, and went to the front in February last. That was subsequent to his brother, L. Corpl. J. C. Andrews being killed and almost his last words on leaving were that he hoped to be able to avenge his brother’s death.

In his last letter home, the deceased soldier related how he had been confirmed on the battlefield by the Bishop of Pretoria and attended his first communion service there on Whit Sunday. He made a request for a prayer and hymn book which was being sent to him by his aunt.

Before joining the forces, he worked in the Ibstock Colliery. He was 20 years of age last December. As a former member of the Ravenstone Church Sunday School and later the Bible Class, his death is much regretted by the church people and other parishioners.

Pte. George Andrews’ elder brother, Lance-Corpl. J. C. Andrews, who was 24 years of age, was in the 1st Bedfords and was shot through the head by a German sniper on November 7th. This soldier was himself, also a sniper, having fired in the team which won the gold cup at Aldershot a few years ago."

Coalville Times article - Friday November 8th, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of two brothers, Jake Clarke Andrews (Lance-Corporal 1st Bedfordshire Regiment) who was killed in action, November 7th, 1914, at Ypres, aged 23 years, and George Thomas Andrews, (Private, 5th Leicestershire Regiment) who was killed in action, July 23rd, 1915, at Ypres, aged 20 years.

“For faith, for liberty and truth,
They offered up their stalwart youth
They fell in strife, that peace might reign
Throughout the tortured world again,
They died – if it were death to give
Their lives – that all they loved, might live.”

“In the midst of life we are in death.”

From their loving Father, Mother, Sister and Brothers.
Ravenstone.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 29th, 1920

RAVENSTONE WAR MEMORIAL

UNVEILED BY MAJOR HATCHETT, J.P.

IMPRESSIVE SERVICE

Few villages, perhaps in proportion to population, suffered more heavily in the war than Ravenstone, where on Sunday afternoon the unveiling took place of a memorial to 28 men of the parish who made the supreme sacrifice. The memorial consists of a cross of Weldon stone, 12ft high, with steps at the base and three panels in Swithland slate bearing the names of the men, and on the front panel appears the inscription

“In glorious memory of the unreturning brave 1914 – 1918”

The names of the fallen are as follows:

L.-Corporal J. C. Andrews, Pte. H. Walker, Corporal P. L. Smith, Pte. G. T. Andrews, Pte. J. Martin, Pte. W. Brooks, Corporal C. Fairbrother, Pte. J. Nicholls, Gunner A. Prew, Pte. S. Poole, Seaman W. Potter, Corporal J. Sinfield, Pte. C. T. Colver, Corporal J. Curtis, Pte. H. Congrave, Corporal J. Collier, L.-Corporal F. Marlow, Pte. J. Watson, Pte. R. Bodle, Pte. W. Glover, Pte. A. R. Brooks, Pte. G. Yates, Pte. J. Knifton, Pte. W. Hill, Pte. C. H. C. Wilson, Rfn. W. Knight, Sergt. J. Hancock and Pte. A. Fowkes.

The cross was designed by Mr T. H. Fosbrooke, architect, of Leicester, whose brother is the Squire of Ravenstone Hall, and it was executed by Mr J. H. Morcomb, also of Leicester. The cost was about £150, which has been defrayed by public subscription.

The memorial stands in a most eminent position in the picturesque churchyard, by the side of the pathway leading to the main entrance of the church, and the unveiling ceremony by Major Hatchett, J.P., in the autumn sunshine, with a huge concourse of people gathered around, formed a very impressive scene.

THE SERVICE

The proceedings commenced with a service in the quaint old church, which was packed to the doors, many, in fact, being unable to get in. The uplifting strains of the hymn, “O God, our help in ages past,” formed an appropriate commencement, and then followed a form of service, led by the Rector (the Rev. S. Dowling) in which proper Psalms (21 and 121), lessons (Wisdom iii, 1 – 9 and Rev. 21 1 – 7) and prayers were fittingly mingled, each serving to emphasise the leading note of the day. The anthem beautifully rendered by the choir, was taken from the words of the special lesson. “The Souls of the Righteous,” and the sermon was preached by the Rev. J. D. C. Wallace, the Master of Ravenstone Hospital, whose text was Philippians Ic 22v “With Christ, which is far better.” He said that for many centuries in peace and war time that church had stood at Ravenstone, but never before in its history had it seen what stood in its shadow to-day – a beautiful memorial inscribed with the names of nearly 30 Ravenstone boys who gave their lives in the war. Never before was there such a war, and never before was Ravenstone called upon to make such a sacrifice. “We need no monument,” he said, “They are our boys; we know their faces, know their generous dispositions and the fine spirit which sent them forth. All that is enshrined in our memories and nothing can deface it. We need no monument, but there is one outside because there will come after us generations who knew not out boys, and that monument will tell them in years to come what Ravenstone boys did in the hour of England’s peril.”

The memorial, he continued, was a symbol of their faith, of the greatest sacrifice of that Eternal Son of God, Who came from Heaven. It was that supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross that inspired their boys to make their sacrifice upon the altar of patriotism, and it would be acceptable to God. There would be sad thoughts that day, but he asked them to let proud thoughts prevail over the sad ones. They should be proud because they were the parents and friends of such boys – proud because they were not found wanting in the crucial hour, and because a new glory had come to their homes whether it was castle or cottage, the glory of their boys. Then their thoughts should help them to look forward, because the boys had only just passed on before them, called to a nobler work, and presently they would follow them. Let them not also forget the boys who came back. They went to stop the cruel evil and oppression which was threatening the people of this country from abroad. They wanted to ensure a peaceful and happy life for those here at home, believing them to be worthy of it. It was for them to prove that worth during the rest of their lives. If they were to keep up their jealousies and petty grievances the boys would have fought in vain, and there would be no better England. The boys taught them charitableness, unselfishness, and through love to serve one another. Let them take up the task and as they stood around the memorial solemnly pledge themselves before God and their boys that they would fight uncharitableness and selfishness among themselves and try to be more brotherly men and more sisterly women, to stand together for peace and good-will at home as they stood together in awful peril of the war. “That,” he concluded, “is the best tribute we can pay to those gallant boys, and when they see and know that, they will know that they have not died in vain; that we are worthy for whom they did such great things, and they will rest in peace and possess their souls in patience until that glad day when we and they shall meet again in the blessed presence of that one God, the Father and Saviour of us all.”

After the sermon the hymn, “Ten thousand times, ten thousand,” was sung, during which a collection for the memorial fund realised £13/8/3.

THE UNVEILING

A procession was then formed of the choir, clergy, wardens and members of the Memorial Committee, which proceeded to the cross, singing the hymn, “Through the night doubt and sorrow.”

Relatives of the fallen were given a place prominence around the memorial, and the service of dedication, conducted by the Rector, opened with the singing of “When I survey the wondrous Cross.” Having performed the ceremony of unveiling, Major J. Hatchett, J.P., said, “Several years ago, the Rector called a meeting, which appointed a committee to consider and report upon a suitable memorial, to do honour to the memory of the men who died for their country in the great war. The committee were fortunate in having the kind advice and assistance of an eminent architect, who was a native of Ravenstone, and took great interest in the memorial, the result being the placing here of this beautiful monument. The architect’s name is Mr Thomas Fosbrooke, of Leicester, and we have to thank Mr Fosbrooke very much for what he has done. We have today taken part in a solemn service in that venerable church in which so many generations of our fathers have worshipped, and we now are privileged to be assembled here in this acre of sacred ground, the resting place of so many of our beloved dead, for the purpose of discharging the honourable duty of assisting at the dedication of this memorial erected by the people of Ravenstone to the blessed memory of 28 brave men, who loved their country, and gave their lives to save English men, women and children from tyranny and oppression. We all desire to show our unstinted appreciation and our unbounded admiration of the courageous spirit of those fearless men, who, when their country was wantonly attacked, considered it to be a sacred duty to defend it; and this memorial, which has been raised as a tribute of respect, will remind us and those who came after us, our children and our children’s children, of the undaunted courage and the undying fame of those men of Ravenstone who, whilst upholding the honour of the British flag, and sustaining the reputation of the British soldier, sacrificed their lives. We owe an eternal debt of gratitude to the men who went forth in full health and strength, leaving home, comfort, friends and relatives, to take their places in the battle line to fight in the righteous cause of freedom and justice, against the most cruel, vindictive and treacherous foe the world has ever known. Our sincere, straight-forward, unassuming, determined men, were unafraid and undismayed, although they knew that the Angel of Death was hovering over their path. Their loyal and valued services were very helpful to their country in the hour of her need. We had hoped to witness their return to receive a grateful nation’s recognition and thanks, but the inscrutable degree of Providence ordered it otherwise. They faithfully and manfully performed their duty, they died glorious deaths, they died for England, they died for all of us and the places on the field of honour, where they lie in warriors graves, are hallowed and sanctified by a nation’s grief, and watered by a nation’s tears. We deplore their loss; their splendid examples will remain; their glorious memories will endure. We thank God for such men; and if England’s sons maintain the courage, the devotion and the unselfish patriotism displayed by them, we have no fear for the independence of our race, or for the position of our country and empire amongst the nations of the world. We tender our sincere sympathy to their relatives, trusting that God’s blessing will rest upon them and lighten the burden of their bereavement. Ravenstone is proud of the ever-living memories and the noble deeds of her unreturning immortal heroes, who without fear faced the foe and walked into the valley of the shadow of death, to save the lives, the honour and liberties of those they left behind. These brave British soldiers sill live in our hearts and will not be forgotten; their name liveth for ever. We shall always mention with respect and reverence the names inscribed on this memorial stone, which has been raised to protect their memory, and preserve their story, and remain a lasting monument of their glory. Duty impelled them and they never faltered. There was no need for her to call them twice. The end they saw not, nor would have wished it altered. They took the cross, and made the sacrifice. God grant that we may be found worthy of them, in the days that are to be!”

The dedication of the monument was solemnly performed by the Rector and prayers were followed by the singing of the Doxology.

Two buglers then stepped to the front of the memorial and sounded the “Last Post” and whilst this was in progress, there flew up towards the heavens four homing pigeons released from the hands of the Rev. J. D. C. Wallace, beautifully symbolical of carrying the message of that day’s proceedings.

Many beautiful floral tributes were placed on the memorial by relatives and friends of the deceased men.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 7/10/2017