Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Arlott a scale maker, born on the 15th January 1859 in Clapham, Surrey and baptised on the 20th November 1859 in Holy Trinity Church, Clapham (son of George Arlott, 1828 and Elizabeth Watkins, 1828), and his wife Agnes Arlott (nee Jeffery, married on the 25th September 1881 in Emmanuel Church, Camberwell, Surrey), born in the October quarter of 1856 in Bermondsey, Surrey (daughter of James Henry Jeffery, 1818 and Charlotte Coxhead, 1824). George James was born in the October quarter of 1886, in Tooting, Surrey, his siblings were, Agnes Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born in the July quarter of 1883 and Lilian, a schoolgirl, born in the January quarter of 1884 the latter two siblings were both born in Camberwell, Henry Arthur, born in the October quarter of 1888 and Albert Edward, born in the January quarter of 1890, the latter two siblings were both born in Bermondsey, in April 1891 the family home was at 16, Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, Kent. In March 1901, George was employed as a shoe factory errand boy, and was residing in the family home at 103, New Park Street, St. Paul’s, Leicester, together with his father a weighing machine fitter, his mother and siblings, Lilian a print trade machine feeder, Henry, a shoe factory errand boy, Albert, Joseph, born in the January quarter of 1892 in Maidstone, Alfred Ernest, born in the January quarter of 1894, Edith Charlotte, born in the July quarter of 1895 and Leonard Charles, born in the October quarter of 1896 and baptised on the 11th November 1896 in Bermondsey Parish Church, the latter three siblings were all born in Bermondsey and Herbert William, born in the October quarter of 1899 in Chingford, Essex.
George married Gertrude Ethel Annie Ross on the 4th May 1917 in the Leicester Register Office. Gertrude was born on the 23rd September 1889 in Leicester (daughter of George Ross, 1863-1828 and Elizabeth Ellen Green, 1871). George and Gertrude had two children, Kathleen Gertrude, born on the 1st July 1917 and George Albert, born on the 7th December 1918, both children were born in Leicester and also, Gertrude’s daughter, Rachel Marjorie Ross, born on the 8th May 1912 in Leicester.
George had two brothers who also died, Henry Arthur died on the 19th July 1916 from wounds received in action and Albert Edward fell in action on the 5th May 1917.
George enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 2nd October 1915 in Brisbane, Queensland, being assigned to the 47th Battalion, and was allotted the service number 3008.a. He gave his place of birth as Tooting, London, England. His age as 27 years 11 months, his trade or calling as seaman and marital status as unmarried.
He gave his next of kin as his mother Mrs. A. Arlott, 85, Repton Street, Woodgate, Leicester, England. Wife Gertrude Arlott, “Gladstone House,” 1, Metcalf Street, Leicester, England.
His Description on Enlistment records: Age 27 years 11 months, height 5-feet 2 inches, weight 9 stone 4 pounds, chest measurement 36 to 39 inches, complexion fair, eyes brown, hair brown and Religious Denomination Church of England. Distinctive marks 3 vaccination marks on left arm, 3 tattoos on left arm, 1 tattoo on right arm.
He was considered fit for active service on the 2nd October 1915 in Brisbane.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Embarked. From Brisbane, Queensland, Australia per H.M.A.T. Itonus. 30/12/1915.
Taken on the strength of the 47th Bn. Australian Infantry. Tel-el-Kebir. 3/3/16.
To. Hospital, sick. Tel-el-Kebir. 23/3/16.
Admitted. To 12th Australian Field Ambulance, influenza. Tel-el-Kebir. 23/3/16.
Returned. To duty. Tel-el-Kebir. 25/3/16.
Admitted. To 4th Australian Field Ambulance, muscle strain. Moascar. 30/3/16.
Returned. To duty. Moascar. 30/3/16.
Rejoined. 47th Bn. Australian Infantry. Serapeum. 30/3/16.
Proceeded. To join British Expeditionary Force at Alexandria. Per H.T. Caledonia. 2/6/16.
Disembarked. At. Marseilles. 9/6/16.
To. Hospital, sick. In the Field. 3/10/16.
Admitted. To 3rd Canadian General Hospital, N.Y.D. Boulogne. 6/10/16.
Admitted. To 14th Stationary Hospital, paratyphoid. Boulogne. 29/10/16.
Embarked. For England. Per H.S. St. Dennis. 10/11/16.
Admitted. To 1st Southern General Hospital. Birmingham. 11/11/16.
Discharged from Hospital to Furlough. 13/12/16.
Report. To No.1 Command Depot, Perham Downs. 25/1/17.
Offence. Absent without leave from 3.30pm 25/1/17 to 4.00pm 29/1/17. Award 7 days C.C. and forfeits 5 days’ pay. 30/1/17.
Marched. Out from No.1 Command Depot, Perham Downs to Wareham. 7/2/17.
Marched. In to No.4 Command Depot, Wareham. 7/2/17.
Marched. Out from No.4 Command Depot, Wareham to Hurdcott. 14/3/17.
Marched. In to No.3 Command Depot, Hurdcott. 17/3/17.
Classified. B1A3. Hurdcott. 28/3/17.
Offence. Wilton. Absent without leave from 12 noon 29/3/17 until apprehended by Military Police at 3.30pm 31/3/17. Fovant. Award admonished and forfeits 3 days’ pay. 3/4/17.
Classified. B1A4. Hurdcott. 10/4/17.
Classified. B1A2. Hurdcott. 4/4/17.
Transferred. To 69th Bn. Australian Infantry. Hurdcott. 12/4/17.
Marched. In to H. & Draft Depot. Ex Wareham. 21/4/17.
Transferred. To Drafting Depot. For 47th Bn. Australian Infantry. 21/4/17.
Proceeded. From Infantry Draft Depot overseas from Southampton. 22/5/17.
Joined. 4th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Havre. 23/5/17.
Marched. Out. To join 47th Bn. Australian Infantry. 10/6/17.
Taken. On strength of 47th Bn. Australian Infantry from 69th Bn. Australian Infantry. 19/6/17.
Re-allotted. Regimental Number 3008a.
Leave. To England. 10/3/18.
Returned from leave. 3/4/18.
Killed in action. In the Field. France. 5/4/18.
Buried. At Military Cemetery, Dernacourt, Railway Line, Albert. Sheet 62.d .E.14.a.2.7.
A war pension was awarded to Gertrude Arlott, his widow of forty shillings per fortnight to commence on the 16th June 1918, and to be reviewed 29th June 1933. Two further war pensions were awarded to Gertrude Kathleen his daughter, of twenty shillings per fortnight and to Rachel Marjorie his step daughter, of fifteen shillings per fortnight both to commence from the 16th June 1918 the eldest child’s pension to expire on the 1st July 1933.
The War Diary records: 5 Apr-18 – DERNACOURT. D.12.d.79. 4.30. Attacked, for details see special report. Attacked as appendix No.1.
Finish of fighting for the day, a day of heroic endeavours on the part of all ranks. Showed losses to be heavy, being Officers. Killed – 2nd Lieutenant W. J. COOKSLEY. Lieutenant H. W. MARSON. Missing – Lieutenant W. GOODSALL. Lieutenant E. ROBINSON and Lieutenant J. E. SMITH, all of whom were wounded badly. Lieutenant ROBINSON being Lewis Gun Officer went forward to take charge of “C” Company (Lieutenant GOODSALL and was not seen again). Officers Wounded. - 2nd Lieutenant HINES, 2nd Lieutenant ULCOQ. Lieutenant H. M. DOUGLAS since died of wounds. 22 Other Ranks killed – 85 wounded – missing. These would be the wounded of the front-line Companies.
APPENDIX No.1
To: Headquarters, 12th Australian Infantry Brigade.
Report of Operations from 25th March 1918 at METEREN to 8th April 1918 LABOUSSOYE.
5/4/18. 4.30 a party of enemy were seen by us massing near road at E.15.b but Lieut. Taylor went out with a Lewis Gun and dispersed them, killing a fair number. This was taken as an indication of impending attack and artillery was employed on front and in DERNACOURT and hill towards MORLANCOURT. A ground mist as soon as daylight appeared, prevented observation on ground, and this was accentuated as the day grew on, until at 7.00am punctually enemy barrage came down with precision on supports, pioneer’s roads, Battalion Headquarters, and rear lines, comprising. H.E., instantaneous shrapnel, and a little later gas.
Front-line Companies reported no shelling and no attack. Our artillery replied at 7.15 and continued intermittently. Our lines were then down but were restored and touch was gained with all Companies. This continued until 9.40 when an S.O.S. was seen N of ALBERT on 48th’s left flank – my front-line Companies still reporting no infantry action but being heavily shelled by minnenwerfers, and were in touch with flanks. Support Companies had been heavily mauled and each had lost 75% of their strengths, so I reinforced them with 1 platoon from reserve of 45th.
At 10.30 barrage lifted and ceased on my front whilst machine gun fire broke out there and my forward lines went “fut.” Visibility was very poor and runners sent forward were killed and became casualties. It appears at 9.30 our line was drenched with fire but remained fast and at 10.20 enemy infantry started, droves of men appearing through mist, endeavouring to gain our lines, but our Lewis Gun and rifle fire, rifle sections of 1 leader to 4 firers, proved a successful barrier and the German dead increased. Enemy rifles, machine guns, and Lewis Guns in their possession were utilised and kept them back, doing tremendous execution. My left flank only had slight attacks which were easily repulsed, the brunt of the attack being borne on my centre and right and right Brigade’s sector. This defence continued until 1.00pm and it is estimated that 1 platoon post had over 400 dead in front of it, succeeding waves of enemy climbing over the parapet of dead. Meanwhile on Railway crossing two 77mm Field guns were brough up and fired on our trenches at 250 yards, but our snipers picked the gunners off.
While this line was being held a party of enemy had entered line of right Brigade and proceeding under cover of mist and valley and cemetery on E.30.a succeeded in surprising my support line, but were beaten off temporarily. This was at 11.20 and I immediately ordered a defensive flank to be formed facing S in E.13.d, sending Lieutenant Robinson in charge as all officers of C Company in supports were then casualties. This Company was supported by G Company 46th under Captain ADAMS. At noon I received a lamp message from front line saying their line was intact still as far as S as the Battalion boundary, and enemy being resisted but over our line on right. I then made a personal reconnaissance and saw people on my right coming over hill in D.18.d and a gap of nearly 1000 yards between my right flank and theirs and informed Brigade at once of the menace.
Casualties in support line very heavy on account of shelling and majority of Lewis Guns out of action there on account of the shell fire and mud, so pushed forward all my Battalion Headquarters staff with a Lewis Gun and plenty of S.A.A. to prevent at all costs any intrusion in gap. They remained there until 49th came up in afternoon under Lieut. S. SMITH.
At 1.00pm visibility was better and front-line seeing enemy behind them decided to withdraw on my order and did so along Railway line to old Compound in E.15.c and then moved up the slope to prevent enemy getting the high ground. This movement was ably conducted by Captain YOUNG and Captain HURD, Lieut. REID and Sgt. BROWN going out and covering the movement and advising Headquarters. This was successfully accomplished by 2.00pm, 48th right flank moving with them until at 8.00pm we were on high ground across E S central to E.13.a. 49th Battalion at this stage appeared to the E and orders were issued for a local counter-attack in conjunction with the forward movement of 49th. This Battalion was moving towards BUIRE, when Sgt. BROWN went out and restored their direction.
The 48th in meantime had conformed their line to general movement and all were in position for counter-attack at 5.15pm. 48th on left, 47th in centre, 45th joining on to 49th. Moved off to time magnificently and in perfect order, but when going over the ridge an enemy machine gun storm caught the line inflicting great casualties, when the line charged with the bayonet and the enemy went before it, but machine gun fire necessitated a halt, and at 5.45 at about 130 yards short (1.e.N) of our old support lines where they dug in at dusk. The general line then being E.13.b.8.5 – E.8.c central – 8 central – 2 central.
After dark everything was quiet, very little shelling and opportunity taken to gather wounded and bury dead.
6/4/18. At 1.30pm 46th Battalion relieved my Battalion in outpost line and I moved to trenches in D.12.d when “B,” “C” roll, officers 92 o/ranks arrived. Losses during the day were severe but the nature of the fighting taken into account and the fact that the brunt of the attack was borne by us, are small compared to those inflicted by us on the enemy, when for three and a half hours not one German succeeded in getting across our front-line of the enormous numbers employed against us. Prisoners taken say 2 Divisions were employed.
I would like to draw special attention to the gallant services rendered by Lieut. G. G. REED, 2079 Sgt. W. E. BROWN, DCM., Captain G. E. YOUNG, Captain E. H. W. HURD, and Lieut. H. TAYLOR, for whom I am forwarding special recommendations for your approval.
[recognitum XVII-VI-MMXXIII]

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Son of George and Agnes Arlott; husband of Gertrude E. A. Arlott, of 1. Metcalf St., Leicester, England. Born in London, England.

Remembered on the Belgrave Working Mens Club Memorial