Private 30179 George Edwin (Ted) Graydon

Photograph of George (and those at bottom of page) courtesy of Mike Rhodes.

Killed in Action on Sunday, 29th October 1916, age 22.
Buried in Grave II. A. 10. at Tancrez Farm Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium.

9th Bn., Devonshire Regiment. 20th Brigade of 7th Division.
Formerly 24564, 2nd Bn. South Staffordshire Regiment.

Son of Mrs Sarah Graydon, of 37, Hill St., Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Chichester, Enlisted: Tipton, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, post 31st December 1915.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library Memorial. Also listed on the lost Palethorpe’s Roll of Honour.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/487361/

Genealogical Data

Birth of George Edwin Graydon registered March quarter 1894 in Chichester.

1901 Census
47 Adelaide Road, Chichester, Sussex.
George Graydon (age 34, Pie & Sausage maker, born Leicester), his wife Sarah (age 39, born Chichester), and their five children: Edith (12, born Chichester), Emma (11, born Chichester), Robert A. (8, born Chichester), George E. (7, born Chichester) and William H. (5, born Chichester).

1911 Census
37 Hill Street, Tipton, Staffs.
George Graydon (age 44, Butcher in Sausage Factory - Prob Palethorpes, born Leicester), his wife Sarah (age 49, born Chichester), and their five children: Edith (22, born Chichester), Robert Alfred (18, Wood Sawyer, born Chichester), George Edwin (17, Butcher, born Chichester) and William Henry (15, Gardener, born Chichester).

Personal Data

After Ted's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £2/6/4d (2 pounds, 6 shillings and 4 pence), this was paid to his father, George, in March 1917. His War Gratuity was £3/0/0d (3 pounds exactly), this was paid to his father in October 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Ted had enlisted within the 12 months prior to his death.

Action resulting in his death

Still to be researched. Contact me if required.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald 11th November 1916
MESSRS. PALETHORPES LTD EMPLOYEE WITH THE COLOURS.
ONE MAKES THE SUPREME SACRIFICE.
(Editor: Not an accurate article, he was Pte George Edwin Graydon, and was initially South Staffs, but in the Devons at the time of this death.)
The firm of Messrs. Palethorpes Ltd. have 65 of their employees in the Army, and news has just come to hand that one of them, Private B.C. Graydon, of Hill Street, Park Lane, has been killed in action. He only left the factory for the Army on May 22nd last. He is the first employee of the firm to meet with his death. He is spoken of as a very steady lad. He was employed in the butchery department. He was in the South Staffordshire Regiment.
On Friday morning the mother of the deceased young soldier received a letter from her son, saying that he was "in the pink." By the same post there was a communication from the Captain of the Company saying that the young man had been killed. The mother has also received the following letter from the Chaplain (Rev E.C. Crosse):- "Dear Mrs Graydon, I write to express my deepest sympathy with you in the loss of your son, Private B.C. Graydon, who was killed in the trenches last Sunday. I understand from his brother that his officer has already written to you telling you of his death. I buried him the following day in the British cemetery near Armentieres, where the graves will always be well cared for. My deepest sympathy goes out to you in your bitter loss, but I think we have the right to believe that having given his life that others may live in freedom, he now rests in peace."

Tipton Herald 18th November 1916
TIPTON BROTHERS FIGHT SIDE BY SIDE.
DEATH PARTS THEM
Private G.E. Graydon, who has so gallantly met his death in France on October 29th, joined the 10th South Staffs on April 25th 1916, with his brother Bob. They had a little over three months training at Rugeley Camp, when they volunteered for France. After being there for a few weeks, they were transferred to the 9th Devons. As a boy of 12 he was week-end assistant for Mr Frank Lloyd, butcher in Park Lane West, and after leaving school he worked for his full-time. His genial and courteous bearing is remembered by many residents in the locality. He afterwards went to Messrs. Palethorpes Ltd., where he remained until called up. He would have been 23 this month. The parents have received a letter from his brother Bob, asking them to bear up bravely. He says that no one misses him more than he does.
The young soldier, as the Chaplain wrote, was able to be interred in a soldier's cemetery, and the grave, with thousands of others, will be properly cared for. The two brothers fought side by side until death parted them. The deceased was a son of Mr and Mrs George Graydon, 37 Hill Street.
The deceased soldier was in the choir of St. Paul's Church, Tipton, as a lad. On Sunday evening last, the vicar (Rev G.E. Lythgoe) made the service a memorial one, speaking very feelingly of the young man's sacrifice. The organist played the Dead March.
The Lieutenant in charge of the platoon, in forwarding to Mrs Graydon the personal effects of the deceased soldier, says:- "My Company Commander has already written, conveying our deepest sympathy in your loss. I must say that he was a splendid young fellow. Both he and his brother were in my platoon, and were always willing to do anything asked of them. I am extremely sorry to have lost such a good man. It will be a relief to you to know that he suffered no pain."
also
ROLL OF HONOUR.
GRAYDON.- Killed in action in France, October 29th, 1916. Private George Edwin Graydon, 37 Hill Street, Tipton.

Tipton Herald 27th October 1917
In Memoriam
GRAYDON.- In loving memory of my dear sweetheart, Private George Edwin Graydon(Tipton), who was killed in action October 29th 1916.
"The one I loved was called away,
His loving smile, his dear sweet face,
Never on earth can be replaced.
A faithful boy, most true and kind,
No better friend on earth I find.
For me he always did his best,
May God grant him eternal rest."
Never forgotten by his loving sweetheart, Fanny.

Tipton Herald 5th October 1918
PRIVATE GRAYDON.
Private George Edwin Graydon (Ted) is the son of Mr and Mrs Graydon, of 37 Hill Street, Park Lane, Tipton, and was killed in action in 1916. The deceased soldier joined up on April 25th 1916, and after three months' training with the 10th South Staffs, proceeded in July to France, and was there transferred to the 9th Devons. He was granted leave in October 1916. His brother, Private R.A. Graydon (the crack shot) was wounded and gassed at the front. Another brother, William Henry Graydon, joined up in November 1917, with the Motor Transport, Army Service Corps and was drafted out to Mesopotamia in the same month.

Dudley Herald 26th October 1918
In Memoriam
GRAYDON.- In loving memory of Private George Edwin Graydon, killed in action October 29th 1916.
"Trials and changes there may be,
But my heart will forever be with thee."

Ever remembered by his sweetheart, Fanny.

CONCERNING HIS BROTHER Bob Graydon - the noted crack-shot

Tipton Herald 1st June 1918
Private R.A. Graydon is representing Army at shooting. He has previously been gassed and wounded in France.

Tipton Herald 29th June 1918
Private Bob Graydon, the crack-shot represented Army at shooting at Deal, Kent. He scored 19 out of 20 bull's eyes. His parents live at 37 Hill Street, Park Lane, Tipton. His brother, Private George Graydon, was killed in 1916.

Tipton Herald 19th October 1918
Private Bob Graydon, the champion crack-shot, will have a hard task on Monday next, when he meets Major Kemp-Anson, of the Black Watch. It will be remembered that Bob Graydon beat the Major's record some few weeks back. Since then the young private has had a series of successes. Several well-known Bisley crack-shots have been put up against him, but none have beaten him yet. Now comes Major Kemp-Anson, the famous crack-shot who challenged young Graydon to a full-course match. The challenge was accepted, and the match will take place on Monday, 21st October, at the Royal Marines range, Deal. Pte. Bob Graydon is in strict training at home, under the care of Major Wilson-Barrett, D.S.O., M.C. (Highland Light Infantry). He is full of confidence, and is eager to come to grips with the Major. Much interest is being taken in the match around Kent and district, where Bob is a popular favourite.

George and his sweetheart, Fanny.

George's Memorial Card.