Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Tom Selvidge, a shoe trade clicker, born on the 23rd August 1866 in Leicester (son of George Selvidge, 1821-1890 and Elizabeth Goode, 1835-1922) and his wife Amy Louisa Selvidge (nee Lee, married on the 4th August 1888 in St. Andrew’s Church, Leicester), born on the 2nd May 1867 in Dover, Kent (daughter of Robert Lee, 1834-1912 and Hannah Cutting, 1835-1881). George was born in the April quarter of 1891 in Anstey, Leicestershire, he had one sibling, Ada, born on the 14th July 1889 in Leicester and baptised on the 6th November 1889, in April 1891 the family home was at The Green, Anstey. In March 1901 George was residing in the family home at 89, Kirkdale Road, Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, together with his father, a shoe trade clicker, his mother, a shoe trade fitter and his sister, Ada. In April 1911 George was employed as a shoe trade clicker and was residing in the family home at 89, Kirkdale Road, Wigston Magna, together with his father, a shoe trade clicker, his mother and siblings, Ada, a hosiery trade machinist and Robert, a schoolboy, born on the 10th November 1901 in South Wigston, Leicestershire.
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 the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Leicester, date not known.
Joined. At Leicester, date not known.
Posted. To Leicestershire Regiment, Private, date not known.
Allotted the Regimental number 21655.
Transferred. To Durham Light Infantry, Private, date not known.
Allotted the Regimental number 44100.
Posted. To 1/8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in France after the 31st December 1915.
Promoted. Lance Corporal, date not known.
Promoted. Corporal, date not known.
Reverts to Private, date not known.
Killed in action. In the Field. 23rd March 1918.
Buried in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres, France, the headstone inscription reads: - “EVER REMEMBERED FROM HIS LOVING FATHER & MOTHER, SISTER, BROTHER.”
Awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, George nominated his mother, Amy Selvidge as his sole legatee.
On the 15th October 1918, George’s mother Amy was awarded a weekly Army Pension of four shillings to commence on the 22nd October 1918.
ADDITIONAL MILITARY NOTES:
A document that does survive, is the report of an official inquiry carried out on the 16th September 1917 at which George was a witness in the proceedings.
Summary in the case of Accidental Wounding of 245054 Pte. J. R. Strike and 44154 Pte. F. Metcalfe 8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry on 16/9/17.
1st Witness. No. 10657 Pte. P. E. Bryant. 8th Durh. L.I. states: - I am a No.2 in a Lewis Gun Team in No. B. Post. About 4-30p.m 16/9/16 I took my revolver out of the case and had just let it hang down by the lanyard whilst I was oiling the rag prior to cleaning the revolver. I had not at the time unloaded the revolver. My usual sequence in cleaning is first to unwrap the rag in which I always keep my revolver in its case; then oil the rag; then unload and then clean. While I was oiling the rag, I suddenly felt a tug at the lanyard and saw 245054 Pte. Strike with my revolver in his left hand. Before I could say anything except “Be careful” Pte. Strike pressed the trigger; a round was fired and the bullet wounded Pte. Strike in the right hand and Pte. Metcalfe in the right arm. This is the first time in 5 months anyone has touched my revolver; and I would never have allowed it if I had had time to see Pte. Strike reach for it.
(Signed) P. E. Bryant.
2nd Witness. 44100 Cpl. Selvidge G. 8th Durh. L.I. states: - I was N.C.O. i/c No. B. Post on 16/9/17. About 4-30p.m Pte. Bryant asked me to pass the rifle oil to clean his revolver. I did so and he proceeded to rub the oil into the rag with his revolver hanging down in front of him by the lanyard. I next heard a shot fired and turned to see 245054 Pte. J. R. Strike holding the revolver in his left hand and wounded through the right hand. The shot also wounded Pte. Metcalfe.
(Signed) G. Selvidge Cpl.
3rd Witness. 245068 Pte. G. Mole. 8th Durh. L.I. states: - On 16/9/17 I was sentry in No. B. Post. About 4-30p.m and I heard a revolver shot fired and turned round from my periscope and saw 245054 Pte. J. R. Strike and 44154 Pte. F. Metcalfe standing wounded.
(Signed) George Mole.
4th Witness. 300122 Pte. G. Black 8th Durh. L.I. states: - On 16/9/17 245054 Pte. J. R. Strike and 44154 Pte. F. Metcalfe came into the R.A.P Cuckoo Res., wounded, and were bandaged up in R.A.P. and sent on to the Adv. Dressing Station Henin.
(Signed) Pte. George Black.
Taken down by me this seventeenth day of September 1917. Ptes. Strike and Metcalfe were not present being in C.C.S.
(Signed) J. H. Burrell Capt. & Adj
8th Durh. L. I.
In the Field.
245054 Pte. Strike J. R. states: - On 16/9/17 I had just been to the latrine at No. B. Post, and coming back to the post I saw 10657 Pte. Bryant who was about to clean his revolver. He had taken it out of the case and it was hanging by his side. I took hold of it, to examine it, and unthinkingly I pressed the trigger. The revolver being loaded a round was fired and wounded me in the right hand, and 44154 Pte. F. Metcalfe in the right arm.
(Signed) J. H. Burrell Adj. for Pte. Strike J. R. who is unable to sign.
Taken down by me this sixteenth day of September 1917.
(Signed) J. H. Burrell Capt & Adj.
8th Durh. L. I.
MILITARY NOTES:
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission shows information that George had been a Vickers Machine Gunner and was attached to the 31st Battalion Australian Infantry, however given that this Battalion was engaged in action a total of almost 85 miles distant, in the Wytschaete sector of Belgium during the month of March 1918, makes it highly improbable, that at the time of his death in action, George was still attached to this unit, and it seems almost certain that he would have been serving with the 1/8th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, who were at the time involved in the retirement of the 5th Army on the Somme during the commencement of the German Spring Offensive that began on the 23rd March 1918. Recourse to the War Diary entry for the 23rd March 1918, would indicate that George lost his life during his Battalion’s retirement towards Eterpigny, possibly in Eterpigny itself, which is a distance of just over 13 miles from Harbonnieres, the location of the cemetery in which his body was reinterred after the war.
The War Diary records: 23 Mar-18 – In Green Line - 1.00am. Orders were received that 50th Divisional line would withdraw during the night owing to the situation on the 5th Army front.
The 157th Brigade to withdraw to line Q.7.a.0.0 – P.6.d.0.0 – P.6.a.0.0 – J.34.b.3.5; 8th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY (Right Battalion) to hold line in BEAUMETZ RIDGE Q.7.a.0.0 to P.5.6.8.1 inclusive with 6th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY on left. Withdrawal to be complete by 4.30am.
Orders were at once issued to Companies to withdraw.
Each Company sent an officer to reconnoitre the new line: Reserve Company returned immediately on receipt of orders, remaining Companies left 2 rifle and 2 Lewis Gun sections to cover the withdrawal; all Companies withdrew cross-country. Covering parties withdrew ½ hour after Companies had withdrawn successfully, and a start was made with linking up Companies in the new line which required consolidating in posts as no trenches existed. By 6.00am the line had been linked up (a difficult task owing to a thick mist which set in about dawn).
6.00am. “A” Company who had retired too far was placed in position and line ran along the line ordered. Companies in order from right to left being “C” Company, “A” Company, “B” Company (in trench with 6th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY) “D” Company again in reserve on P.5 central. Battalion Headquarters P.12.c.6.4 BEAUMETZ (Officer Commanding Divisional Headquarters).
6.30am. Companies digging in. Covering parties in copses to front 2 Machine Guns (151st MACHINE GUN COMPANY) covering right flank.
This withdrawal had necessitated the abandonment of the packs of the whole Battalion dumped in 31 central and of a considerable number of losses of Small Arms Ammunition and Grenades of Mobile Reserve which the Transport was unable to move owing to the late short notice given.
Transport and Quartermasters Stores today moved back to CARTIGNY, and later in day to BELLOY SAN TERRE. The greater portion of general stores was moved today from BRIE to BELLOY. (Officers valuables etc., had yesterday been moved from stores established overnight at BRUSLE to Railhead BRIE).
6.45am. Orders received to assemble the Battalion and prepare to withdraw fighting rear-guard actions to the SOMME.
BEAUMETZ – The Brigade to withdraw at once to the line CARTIGNY – junction of wood P.16.a.6.0. Inter Battalion boundary a line East and West through P.4.c.4.0. 8th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY on right, 6th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY on left: 5th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY covering withdrawal.
7.30am. By 7.30am the Battalion was in position along this line and in touch on left with 6th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY, with “A,” “B” and “D” Companies in line right to left P.4.c.4.0 to P.16.a.65.10. “C” Company in Support in P.9.d. Battalion Headquarters in immediate rear of “C” Company: 2 Machine Guns on high ground at South end of position. 150th Brigade on right.
8.00am. The 5th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY withdrew through the 6th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY and took up an outpost position in LE CATELET.
8.30am. The 6th and 8th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY withdrew through 5th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY to LE MESNIL via CARTIGNY and CATELET, without any serious infantry action on Brigade front having materialised. The enemy Machine Gun patrols had been slightly engaged but no casualties ensued.
CARTIGNY – By this time the troops were becoming very exhausted as they had been marching and preparing defensive positions continuously since detraining at BRIE 21/3/18.
On arrival at LE MESNIL the order was received to dig in and hold line O.18.a.8.7 to O.6.c.5.0. “A” Company were right Company, “C” Company astride LE MESNIL BRIE ROAD and “D” Company on left were in touch with 6th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY. “B” Company and Battalion Headquarters were in O.18.a.0.4 area. The right flank was “in the air” as 150th Brigade did not take up their allotted position, but continued their retirement through the Battalion.
The visibility was good, and resultant hostile aerial activity considerable. Brigade Headquarters was in LE MESNIL, 5th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY in support and in wood O.17.b.
At about mid-day the enemy commenced to shell CARTIGNY with 5.9’s and LE MESNIL also. Enemy also pushed forward Machine Guns on left and right flanks and commenced enfilade fire. Several aeroplanes also flew low and fired on our troops. Signal communication by telephone was at this point established with “C” Company centre Company.
12.30pm. At 12.30pm enemy troops moved forward and developed an attack on the right flank under cover of heavy Machine Gun fire which caused several casualties. Enemy’s low flying planes cooperated. The enemy at this point also occupied DOINGT on right flank.
At 1.15pm the enemy succeeded in working completely round the right flank in the gap caused by 150th Brigades retirement, and enfiladed our position. Troops on the left also appeared to be retiring.
1.00pm. The order for a methodical retirement to the Bridge at ETERPIGNY was received. By this time the enemy was within 300 yards of one position and enfilading our line of hastily consolidated shell holes from both flanks. Our artillery were giving no support, being in process of retirement across the SOMME at BRIE. “B” Company were moved across to secure the right flank and 6th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY ordered to “stand to.”
Orders were issued for the Battalion to retire by platoons from the left, after the 6th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY had retired, 5th Battalion to cover the withdrawal.
1.15pm. Companies commenced to withdraw. Enemy shelling of LE MESNIL and roads with field guns and 5.9’s. The retirement was effected with very slight casualties in good order, 5th Battalion covering the withdrawal. Companies retired by alternate sections under mutual covering fire through LE MESNIL and thence in extended order to ETERPIGNY plank bridge under heavy Machine Gun fire.
2.30pm. The whole Battalion was assembled on West bank of SOMME 100 yards South of ETERPIGNY CHURCH.
ETERPIGNY – Remnants of the 66th Division held the river bank and after all the British troops had crossed the SOMME all the bridges were “blown up.” The Battalion was detailed to be in support from ETERPIGNY Church to BRIE Bridge. Considerable confusion existed for an hour and during this period the Battalion bivouacked in the streets of ETERPIGNY. Enemy low flying planes bombed and fired on our troops inflicting several casualties. The Battalion also lost some considerable personnel through straggling and inadequate police control at this point. Captain BERISFORD was wounded at this point, and Lieutenant A. V. McLARE, M.C., assumed Command of “A” Company.
3.30pm. After reconnaissance of the Canal bank to BRIE Bridge, it was found that there were no troops holding the Canal, and accordingly the Battalion took up a line of posts along the bank of the SOMME, digging in and consolidating the line. Battalion Headquarters was established at O.20.b.7.7. in a cellar. Companies held the Canal from right to left “C,” “B,” “D” and “A”.
8th Divisional Machine Guns fired on the enemy cavalry coming down the LE MESNIL Road at 2.48pm and our field guns opened on advancing infantry at 3.00pm. Otherwise the afternoon was without incident. In the evening Small Arms Ammunition and rations were brought up by Battalion Transport to Battalion Headquarters and distributed to Companies.


STORK, BERNARD b. q1 1897 IN Leicester. (3635) Age 18. E. 11/1/1915. R. 35, Saxe Coburg Street, Leicester.

He was the son of Frederic William Stork, a foreman shoe trade clicker and music teacher, born in the January quarter of 1862 in Islington, Middlesex (son of Frederic Stork and Susan E. Ayres) and his wife Cecilia Stork (nee Hextall, married on the 11th October 1888 in St. Deny’s Church, Evington, Leicester), born in the October quarter of 1868 in Evington and baptised on the 27th December 1868 in St. Deny’s Church, Evington (daughter of Joseph Hextall, 1837-1894 and Eliza Hutchinson, 1838). Bernard was born in the January quarter of 1897 in Leicester, his siblings were, Frederick Joseph, born in the April quarter of 1889, Archibald Ernest, born in the April quarter of 1892 and baptised on the 31st October 1892 in St. Peter’s Church, Leicester and Ethel Alice, born in the April quarter of 1895, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 15, Beal Street, Leicester. In April 1911 Bernard was employed as a leather agents’ clerk and was residing in the family home at 17, Evington Street, Leicester, together with his father, a music and piano teacher, his mother and siblings, Archibald, a surveyor’s clerk and Ethel.
FAMILY NOTE: From 1916, Bernard’s family resided at various addresses, The Nook, 40, Tennyson Street, Leicester, 81, Sparkenhoe Street, Leicester and finally Hill Top, Wallace Drive, Groby, Leicestershire.
Bernard enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 11th January 1915 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 3635. He gave his present address as 35, Saxe Coburg Street, Leicester.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 11th January 1915 and recorded his apparent age as 19 years 30 days, that he was 5-feet 9 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33½ inches, his vision was described as good and his physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Frederick W. Stork, 35, Saxe Coburg Street, Leicester.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Leicester. 11/1/15.
Posted. To 4th Reserve Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 11/1/15.
Embodied service commenced. Pte. 11/1/15.
Embarked. Per S.S. St. Petersburg, Southampton. 24/6/15.
Disembarked. Rouen. 25/6/15.
Admitted. 1st North Midland Field Ambulance, tonsilitis. In the Field. 4/7/15.
Transferred. To 46th Divisional Rest Station. 5/7/15.
Admitted. To 46th Divisional Rest Station. 5/7/15.
Reported missing in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Statement by No.2572 Corporal Farrar, 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment at the 4th Northern General Hospital, Leicester on the 10th June 1916. “On the 13th October 1915 whilst getting back wounded in the attack of that day, I saw No.3635. Private B. Stork, of the 1/4th Leicestershire Regiment lying dead in the trench.”
Witnessed by Cecil Clements. Major. (signed) No.2572 Corporal Farrar, W.
Killed in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Struck off strength of Battalion from. 11/12/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 11/1/15 – 24/6/15. 165 days.
France. 25/6/15 – 13/10/15. 111 days.
Total Service. 276 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Tuesday, November 16th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Mr. Fred Stork, of 35, Saxe Coburg-street, Leicester, has received official notice that his youngest son, Private BERNARD STORK, 1st/4th Leicester’s, is reported missing after the charge of October 13th. Private Stork is 18 years of age. He joined the Army in January last, and was sent to France in June in a draft from the 2nd/4th Leicester’s. he was formerly with Messrs. Dalby and Mathers, leather merchants, Rutland-street. Any further news of him would be gratefully received at his home. One brother is at present in the Army, and another has offered his services.