Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of David Towers, born in the 4th quarter of 1862 in Aylestone, Leicester, and was baptised on the 14th December 1862 in St. Andrew’s Church, Aylestone and his wife Sarah Lilian Towers (nee Stewart, married on the 26th December 1887 in St. Andrew’s Church, Aylestone), born on the 5th March 1863 in Ireland. George’s father died in the 3rd quarter of 1900 in Leicester, aged 37. George David was born in the 2nd quarter of 1894 in St. Andrew’s, Aylestone. In March 1901 he was residing in the family home at Havelock Cottages, Havelock Street, Leicester, together with his widowed mother, a shoe trade fitter and sibling Zillah, born on the 11th December 1891 in Aylestone. In April 1911 George was employed as a warehouseman and was residing in the family home at 2 Court a, Crown Street, Leicester, together with his widowed mother, a shoe and boot trade fitter and his sibling, Zillah, a hosiery trade mender. In the 3rd quarter of 1914, George married Eliza Felstead in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, Eliza was born on the 8th May 1894 in Hoby, Leicestershire, George and Eliza had a son David George, who was born on the 16th November 1914 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district. George’s widow married William Parr in the 3rd quarter of 1922 in the Leicester district, they resided in Clipstone Street, Leicester.
George enlisted into the Territorial Force Reserve on the 19th January 1915 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 3678. He gave his place of birth as St. Andrew’s, Leicestershire and age as 24 years 9 months and his trade or calling as carter.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 8 inches in height, weighed 144 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 35½ inches, his physical development was described as good.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. Leicester. 19/1/15.
Posted. 4th (Reserve) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 19/1/15.
Embodied Service. Pte. 19/1/15.
Embarked. Southampton. 25/6/15.
Disembarked. Rouen. 26/6/15
Admitted. 10th Casualty Clearing Station, Abeele. Shrapnel wound to left thigh and buttock. 31/7/15.
Died of wounds. At 9.40pm in the 10th Casualty Clearing Station, Abeele. 31/7/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 19/1/15 – 24/6/15. 156 days.
France. 25/6/15 – 31/7/15. 37 days.
Total Service. 193 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
George’s surviving service record amounts to a total of thirteen pages and these are in very poor condition with much of the hand written information relating to his army service in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 31 Jul-15 - At 7.00am situation normal. Wind gentle South Westerly. At 10.30am carrying party of 3 officers and 120 other ranks took over 160 gallons of water up to battle Headquarters of 41st Infantry Brigade At 7.00pm North of ZILLEBEKE LAKE DUG-OUTS severely shelled with percussion shrapnel. At 8.00pm about this time 8th SHERWOOD FORESTERS attacked. Enemy repulsed. Exchange in our favour. Our artillery support excellent. The enemy made no further attempts to bomb our trenches. Our artillery kept up a heavy fire till 9.15pm enemy’s attempt to silence our guns was feeble. At 9.30pm the situation was again quiet. At 9.45pm transport arrived. 2nd Lieutenant J. E. BARKER joined the Battalion for duty. 2nd Lieutenant LEESON returned from leave. Company Sergeant Major BRAMLEY relieved Battalion Sergeant Major DAVENPORT who returned to Quartermaster’s stores on “Light Duty”. 25 war worn other ranks returned to quartermaster’s stores en route to base. At 11.15pm 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT arrived at North West corner of ZILLEBEKE LAKE in Divisional reserve for 14th Division They there received orders to return to billets. Casualties other ranks 10 men wounded, and 2nd Lieutenant C. B. P. PEAKE wounded.
On Thursday, August, 19th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – THE ROLL OF HONOUR. – Official intimation has been received of the death on July 31st from wounds received in action, of Pte. G. D. TOWERS, of the 1/4th Leicester’s. His mother lives at 23, Clipstone-street, Leicester.