Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Guess, a shoe trade finisher, born on the 19th January 1870 in Leicester (son of John Guess, 1849-1916 and Mary Anne White, 1851-1883) and his wife Alice Guess (nee Gibbs, married in the July quarter of 1889 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), a shoe trade machinist, born on the 29th August 1872 in Wigston, Leicestershire (daughter of John Gibbs, 1827-1878 and Betsy Clarkson, 1835-1900). George was born in the April quarter of 1898 in Leicester, his siblings were, Edith May, a schoolgirl, born on the 14th November 1894 in The George Yard, Hinckley, Leicestershire and baptised on the 26th November 1905 in St. Matthew’s Church, Leicester and John William, born in the April quarter of 1900 in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 3, Navigation Street, St. Mark’s, Leicester. In April 1911 George was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at 57, Morton Road, West Humberstone, Leicester, together with his father, a boot trade finisher, his mother and siblings, Edith, a schoolgirl, John, a schoolboy, Annie, a schoolgirl, born on the 21st July 1902 and baptised on the 26th November 1905 in St. Matthew’s Church, Leicester, Arthur, a schoolboy, born on the 21st February 1905 and baptised on the 26th November 1905 in St. Matthew’s Church, Leicester, Ernest, born on the 10th July 1907 and Clara, born on the 28th August 1909, the latter four siblings were all born in Leicester. George also had the following siblings, Elizabeth, born on the 17th September 1912 in Leicester and Walter, born on the 27th February 1915 in Leicester.
George enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 17th June 1912 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 1658. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 17 years 3 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand, presently in the employ of Messrs. Smith Faire and Company. He gave his present address as 57, Morton Road, Leicester
His medical history was compiled during an examination that recorded his birthplace as Leicester, declared age as 17 years 90 days, trade or occupation as shoe hand, that he was 5-feet 3½ inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33 inches, his vision was described as good and his physical development was described as normal. Enlisted at Leicester on the 17th June 1912. Joined on enlistment 2/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt.
His medical inspection record gave his full name as George Guess, his apparent age as 17 years 3 months, his height as 5-foot 3½ inches, his chest measurement as 31 inches to 33 inches, his vision as good and his physical development as normal.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force. Date 17th June 1912. Place Leicester.
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 Friday, December 3rd, 1915, The Leicester Mail published the following article under the heading. –
PRIVATE GEORGE GUESS. – (A photograph accompanied the article). Pte. George Guess, No.1658, 1/4th Leicester’s, killed in action on 13th October. Though only 17 years of age, he served for three years in the 1/4th Leicester’s, and his father is now in the Leicester National Reserve. His mother lives at 37, Merridale Road, Leicester.