Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Partridge, a coal merchant’s labourer, born in the January quarter of 1852 in Syston, Leicestershire and baptised on the 15th February 1852 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Syston (son of William Partridge, 1817-1897 and Hannah Ward, 1824-1900) and his wife Hannah Partridge (nee Lewin, married on the 12th July 1875 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Syston), born in the January quarter of 1855 in Syston (daughter of Edward Lewin, 1831 and Mary Sarson, 1837). George Edward was born in the July quarter of 1888 in Syston, his siblings were, Mary Helen (Ellen), a hosiery trade apprentice, born in the July quarter of 1877 and baptised as Mary Ellen on the 16th September 1877 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Syston, John William, a schoolboy, born in the July quarter of 1879 and baptised on the 25th August 1879 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Syston, Thomas Ben, a schoolboy, born in the October quarter of 1881 and baptised as Thomas Benjamin on the 16th December 1881 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Syston, Alice, a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1884 and baptised on the 10th April 1884 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Syston and Ada Ann, born on the 15th April 1886 and baptised as Adah Ann on the 10th March 1887 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Syston, all his siblings were born in Syston, in April 1891 the family home was at Chapel Street, Syston.
In March 1901 George was residing in the family home at Leicester Road, Syston, together with his father, a general labourer, his mother, a hosiery trade seamer and his siblings, Thomas, a shoe trade rivetter, Alice, a hosiery trade worker and Ada, a hosiery trade worker, also residing with the family was a grandson, Charles William Toon, born on the 14th December 1896 in Syston and baptised on the 20th January 1898 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Syston.
In April 1911 George was employed as a shoe trade finisher and was residing in the family home at Leicester Road, Syston, together with his father, a farm labourer and his mother, also residing with the family was a grandson, Charles Toon, a schoolboy.
In the October quarter of 1911, George married Annie Smith in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district, Ann was born on the 5th February 1890 in Darley, Derbyshire (daughter of Timothy Smith, 1857 and Ellen Agar, 1856). George and Ann had two children, Ellen, born on the 17th March 1912 and Lilian, born on the 16th April 1914, both children were born in Thurmaston.
George’s wife Ann died, aged 28 years in the July quarter of 1918 in the Barrow upon Soar district.
Ann’s two brothers, Albert and Charlie Smith both fell in action.
George enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 12th November 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 3529. He gave his age as 26 years 5 months. His marital status was given as married.
His medical inspection record gave his full name as G. E. Partridge, his apparent age as 26 years 5 months, his height as 5-foot 7¾ inches, his chest measurement as 34½ inches to 37 inches, his vision as D6 and his physical development as good, pulse 65.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force. Date 12th November. Place Leicester.
He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Ann Partridge, 38, Garden Street, Thurmaston.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Military History Sheet.
Enlisted. At Leicester. 12/11/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 12/11/14.
Posted. To 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Date not known.
Embarked. With 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 2/3/15.
Landed. At Le Havre. 3/3/15.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid) vice Lance Corporal Gunson, promoted. In the Field. 7/9/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 12/11/14 – 1/3/15. 110 days.
France. 2/3/15 – 13/10/15. 226 days.
Total Service. 336 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 the 12th May 1916, George’s widow Annie Partridge, of 302, Main Street, Thurmaston, Leicestershire was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of eighteen shillings and six pence for herself and her two daughters, commensurate on the 15th May 1916.
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