Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Samuel Northen, a farmer and grazier, born in the April quarter of 1855 in Thorpe by Water, Rutland (son of William Northen, 1827-1899 and Mary Marsh, 1827-1896) and his wife Mary Elizabeth Northen (nee Colwell, married on the 19th June 1883 in St. Andrew’s Church, Lyddington, Rutland), born on the 22nd December 1854 in Liddington, Rutland (daughter of John Colwell, 1826 and Sophia Smith, 1816). George Edward was born on the 20th October 1889 in Thorpe by Water, his siblings were, John William, born on the 26th July 1885 and baptised on the 26th July 1885 in St. Andrew’s Church, Lyddington and Thomas Henry, born in the July quarter of 1887, both his siblings were born in Thorpe by Water, in April 1891 the family home was at Thorpe by Water.
In March 1901 George was residing in the family home at the Gate House, Thorpe by Water, together with his father, a grazier and district council road surveyor, his mother and siblings, John, Frederick Herbert, born 30th August 1891, Margaret May, born on the 7th October 1893 and Daisy Eva, born on the 16th June 1895 and baptised on the 16th June 1895 in St. Andrew’s Church, Lyddington, the latter three siblings were all born in Thorpe by Water.
In April 1911 George was absent from the family home in Thorpe by Water, residing there was his father, a grazier and highways surveyor, his mother and siblings, John, a farm worker, Margaret, a dairy worker and Daisy, a schoolgirl, also residing in the family home was George’s widowed maternal grandfather, John Colwell, a retired grazier.
His younger brother Frederick Herbert died on the 12th August 1917 from wounds received in action.
George was educated at Market Harborough Grammar School and at the outbreak of war he was a butcher living in Ryhall, Rutland, with his brother Frederick. He enlisted in the Lincolnshire Regiment, while another brother Lieutenant Thomas Henry enlisted in the 8th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private. George embarked for France in July 1915, and both there, and in Belgium fought in the whole of the engagements in which the regiment took part up to his death. In a letter to his father, Lieutenant W. R. Parsloe of “B” Company, 7th Bn. Lincolnshire Regiment wrote: - “I have to inform you that your son Private George Northen is now reported “missing,” believed killed.” He was one of a bombing party that I commanded during the recapture of some trenches on the 2nd March, and was wounded in the foot by a fragment of shell. As the bombardment was intense, without binding his wound I hurried him out of the trench, giving him my stick, and telling him to report to the first dressing station he could reach. He was accompanied by others, and I know that he reached the dressing station of the Suffolk Regiment, and was dressed there. Beyond that point I have been unable to trace him, and it seems almost certain that he must have been killed by shell fire later… He was a good soldier, and one whose loss I deplore. When wounded he was quite cool, and during all the time preceding was of great assistance to me. It is an honour to fight with men of his stamp”. Lieutenant Thomas Henry Northen, his brother, who received his commission in 1916, was severely wounded in 1915, afterwards returning to active service, and continued to serve through the whole of the campaign on the Western Front. His younger brother Frederick Herbert died of wounds received in action in August 1917.
George attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours.) on the 2nd September 1914 in Stamford. He gave his place of birth as Thorpe by Water, Uppingham, Rutland, his age as 24 years and 330 days and his trade or calling as butcher. He stated that he had undertaken an apprenticeship with Mr. Tailby for three years expiring in 1908, he confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father and mother of Thorpe by Water, Uppingham, Rutland as his next of kin.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 10 inches in height, weighed 137 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 36½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was light brown and he had grey eyes. It was noted that he had a mole in the centre of his left nipple. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 1st September 1914 in Stamford.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Lincoln. 2/9/14.
Posted. To Depot Lincolnshire Regt. Pte. 2/9/14.
Allotted. Service number 10895.
Posted. To 6th Bn. Lincolnshire Regt. Pte. 2/9/14.
Posted. To Depot Lincolnshire Regt. Pte. 4/9/14.
Posted. To 7th Bn. Lincolnshire Regt. 5/9/14.
Posted. To Bovington Camp. 18/9/14.
Posted. To Lulworth Camp. 28/9/14.
Posted. To Bovington Camp. 1/12/14.
Posted. To Lulworth Camp. 17/4/15.
Posted To Perham Down Camp, Winchester. 30/5/15.
Embarked. To join the British Expeditionary Force, France. 13/7/15.
Awarded. 28 days Field Punishment No.1 by the Commanding Officer: - Improper conduct. Killing a fowl the property of Madame Resvisier. In the Field. 15/1/16.
Wounded and missing. In the Field. 2/3/16.
Killed in action. Place not stated. In the Field. 2/3/16.
A summary of his service records.
Home Service 2/9/14 – 13/7/15, 315 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France, 14/7/15 – 2/3/16, 233 days.
Total service 1 year 182 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
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: 2 Mar-16 – OUDERDOM near YPRES. 12.40am. All Companies reported in position in assembly trenches. 4.30am. Attack launched by 76th Infantry Brigade with 7th LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT as forward support Battalion and 10th SHERWOOD FORESTERS as reserve Battalion. 2nd Lieutenant’s S. CLARKE and J. D. HEALEY joined Battalion. 8.00am. Runners reported that whole objective was in our hands and we are consolidating the captured trenches.
The War Diary records: 3 Mar-16 - OUDERDOM near YPRES. Enemy artillery retaliation most intense during whole of night 2/3 and continued up till a late hour on March 3rd.
Casualties of this unit during the action.
Killed, Lieutenant C. H. WALDRON.
Wounded, Captain A. H. W. BURTON, 2nd Lieutenant H. T. GREGORY, 2nd Lieutenant, R. J. GWYN, 2nd Lieutenant H. E. BROADBENT, Captain C. LEGARD.
Other Ranks killed, 33, wounded, 178, Missing, 16.
THE BLUFF. 10.00pm. Battalion moved out of assembly and captured trenches and proceeded to rest camp at LA CLYTTE.
On Friday May 5th 1916, The Midland Mail, established as “Market Harborough Mail.” published the following article on page 2 under the heading. - GRETTON SURVEYOR’S SON WOUNDED. Mr. Thos. Northen, surveyor for the Gretton District Council, recently received an official notice that his third son, Pte. Geo. Northen, of the 7th Lincolns, had been wounded, but no particulars have been forwarded. He was a bomb thrower with the regiment, and it is expected that he was in an engagement about March 2nd. As nothing has been heard from Pte. Northen since March 1st his parents have the gravest fears concerning his fate. Mr. T. Northen has had two other sons injured in the war.
On Friday 12th, May 1916, The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury published the following article on page 6, under the heading. – UPPINGHAM. – PRIV. G. NORTHEN BELIEVED TO BE KILLED. – Second-Lieut. W. H. Parsloe, Lincs. Regt., has written to Mr. T. Northen, surveyor to the Uppingham and Gretton District Councils, that his son, priv. George Northen, is now reported as “missing, believed killed.” He was one of a bombing party which Lieut. Parsloe commanded during the re-capture of some trenches on March 2, and was wounded in the foot by a fragment of shell. As the bombardment was intense, without binding his wound, he hurried him out of the trench, telling him to report at the first dressing station of the Suffolks. Beyond that point he was unable to trace him, and it seemed almost certain that he must have been killed by shell fire later. He advised him to presume his death. He was a good soldier and one whose loss will be deplored. Priv. G, Northen was engaged on Mr. R. J. Broughton’s farm at Ryhall when he enlisted.
On Friday December 22nd 1916, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS.” - The following casualties amongst local men are officially reported. All are Private’s except where otherwise shown. The town shown against each soldier’s name is the home of his next-of-kin. From Monday’s list: - KILLED. (Previously reported Wounded and Missing). LINCOLNSHIRE REGIMENT. Northern, 10895 G. (Uppingham).
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