Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Earl, a house painter, born 1865 in Leire, Leics., and his wife Harriet Earl (nee Westbury, married 1889), born 1861 in Thrussington, Leics. George William was born in 1890 in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 9, Swaffham Street, Leicester. In March 1901 George was residing in the family home at Foundry Cottages, Syston, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Charles Arthur, born 1891 and Florence Emma, born 1893, the latter two siblings were both born in Leicester, Mary Elizabeth, born 1894, Walter Howel, born 1896, John Henry, born 1898, Abbott Harold, born 1899 and Alfred Bernard, born 1901, the latter five siblings were all born in Syston, Leics. In April 1911 George was employed as a house painter and was residing in the family home at Archdale Street, Barkby, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Charles, a poultry farm worker, Walter, a boot and shoe trade worker, John, a boot and shoe trade worker and Abbott, a schoolboy. On Friday April 23rd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – SYSTON SOLDIER BROTHERS. – ONE KILLED, THE OTHER CAPTURED. – Of the two soldier sons of Mr. and Mrs. W. Earl, of 2, Archdale Street, Syston, one has been killed and the other is a prisoner of war in Germany. The one killed was Lance Corporal G. W. Earl, of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who gave up his life on March 9th. He was aged 26 years. The other son, Pte. Chas. Earl, was captured as far back as October last, when serving with the 2nd Sherwood Foresters.