Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Oliver Buxton a brickwork’s stationary engine driver, born 1872 in Cossington, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Jane Oliver (nee Collier, married on the 26th December 1892 in Sileby Parish Church), born 1875 in Sileby, Leicestershire. George Oliver was born in the 1st quarter of 1898 in Sileby, his siblings were, Maurice, born 1894, Eva, born 1895, Albert, born 1896 and Clara, born 1901, all his siblings were born in Sileby, in March 1901 the family home was at Cossington Road, Sileby. In April 1911 George was employed as a boot trade riveter and was residing in the family home at Cemetery Road, Sileby, together with his parents and siblings, Maurice, Eva, Albert, Clara, Fred, born 1903, Florrie, born 1905, Olive, born 1907, Arthur, born 1909 and Ivy, born 1911, the latter five siblings were all born in Sileby.
George attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years Service in the United Kingdom on the 23rd September 1914 in Mountsorrel. He gave his home address as Cemetery Road, Sileby. He gave his mother, Sarah J. Buxton of 7, Avenue Road, Sileby as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33 inches. His physical development was described as fair and his vision as good. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 2398 on the 23/9/14. Posted to the 5th Reserve Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and embodied service commenced on the 23/9/14. Posted to the 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 4/9/16. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and allotted new service number 40700 on the 19/9/16. Reported sick suffering from scabies on the 31/10/16. Admitted to the 64th West Lancashire Field Ambulance on the 31/10/16. Transferred to 63rd Field Ambulance on the 1/11/16. Transferred to the 1st Casualty Clearing Station on the 1/11/16. Rejoined his Battalion, in the field on the 8/11/16. Wounded in action, in the field on the 2/1/17. Admitted to the 17th Field Ambulance suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck on the 2/1/17. Transferred to the SW Casualty Clearing Station on the 2/1/17. Transferred to 16th General Hospital on the 4/1/17. Transferred from hospital to 12th Infantry Brigade Depot on the 20/2/17. Posted to the 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 26/2/17. Joined his Battalion, in the field on the 28/2/17. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 23/9/14 – 3/9/16, 1 year 345 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 4/9/16 – 24/3/18, 1 year 201 days. Total service 3 years 181 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by George’s mother Sarah on the 4th September 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Fred Leigh Burrow, Vicar of Sileby, Sileby Vicarage, Loughborough on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Oliver Buxton of 7, Avenue Road, Sileby, Loughborough. Mother of soldier, Sarah Jane Buxton of 7, Avenue Road, Sileby, Loughborough. Full blood brothers of soldier, Maurice Buxton, age 26 of 60, Cemetery Road, Sileby. Albert Buxton, age 23 of The Banks, Sileby. Fred Buxton, age 17 of 7, Avenue Road, Sileby, Loughborough. Arthur Buxton, age 10 of 7, Avenue Road, Sileby, Loughborough. Kenneth Buxton, age 1 of 7, Avenue Road, Sileby, Loughborough. Full blood sisters of soldier, Alice Eva Buxton, age 25 of 7, Avenue Road, Sileby, Loughborough. Clara Buxton, age 19 of 7, Avenue Road, Sileby, Loughborough. Florence Buxton, age 15 of 7, Avenue Road, Sileby, Loughborough. Olive Buxton, age 12 of 7, Avenue Road, Sileby, Loughborough. Ivy Buxton, age 8 of 7, Avenue Road, Sileby, Loughborough. Renee Buxton, age 5 of 7, Avenue Road, Sileby, Loughborough.
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 for today records: 24 Mar-18 - Before daybreak position was taken up about 1500/2000 yards in advance of present line, withdrawal eventually taking place through HAUT-ALLAINES on to HARDACOURT. Here position was taken up on high ground, whilst a Battalion of HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY went through us and counter attacked. Counter attack being stopped they withdrew to our position and we then marched through MARICOURT on to BRAY, where the remainder of the night was spent.
On Friday May 31st 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The following local casualties have been officially reported during the past week:- From Yesterday’s list:- Missing: Leicestershire Regt. – Buxton, 40700 G. (Sileby); Marriott, 25811 S. (Asfordby); Rouse, 38021 H. (Sileby).