Private 16919 George Henry Hales

Died of Wounds on Wednesday, 21st March 1917, age 22.
Buried in Grave IV. C. 32. at Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte, Somme, France.

1st Bn., Grenadier Guards. 3 (Gds) Brigade of Guards Division.

Adopted son (nephew) of Mrs Elizabeth Small, of 3 Albert Street, Brindley Ford, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Stoke-on-Trent, Resident: Stoke-on-Trent.

First landed France & Flanders, 8th November 1914.
Medal entitlement: 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial, but commemorated on the Brindley Ford War Memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/31141/

Genealogical Data

Birth of George Henry Hales registered December quarter 1894 in Dudley.

1901 Census
3 Albert Street, Brindley Ford, Chell, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.
Christopher Small (55, Iron Worker - Puddler, born Dudley), his wife Elizabeth (53, born Dudley Port), their 3 children: George (22, Iron Worker - Puddler, born Dudley), James (17, Iron Roller, born Wolstanton), Maria (12, School, born Wolstanton), and Alice (10, School, born Wolstanton); plus their 2 grandchildren: Lizzie Small (9, born Wolstanton), and George Hales (6, born Dudley).

1911 Census
3 Albert Street, Brindley Ford, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs.
Elizabeth Small (63, Widow, born Dudley Port), and 4 of her 6 surviving children of 12: James (27, Iron Roller, born Brindley Ford, Staffs), Alice (20, born Brindley Ford, Staffs), Lizzie (17, Domestic Servant, born Brindley Ford, Staffs), and Lily (15, born Brindley Ford, Staffs), also her adopted son George Hales (16, Miner - Taker-off in Coal Pit, born Dudley Port).

Personal Data

After George's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £10/3/2d (10 pounds, 3 shillings and 2 pence); this was paid to his aunt, Elizabeth Small, in March 1918. His War Gratuity was £15/0/0d (15 pounds exactly), this was also to have been paid to his aunt in November 1919, but she had died earlier in that year. The outstanding gratuity was advertised in the London Gazette as awaiting distribution, it is not known if it was ever claimed. George had enlisted in the Grenadier Guards before the outbreak of war, on 2nd February 1914.

Action resulting in his death

Still to be researched. Contact me if required.

Newspaper Cuttings

Staffordshire Sentinel 31 March 1917
DIED OF WOUNDS.
Mrs Elizabeth Small, 3 Albert Street, Brindley Ford, has received official news that her nephew, Pte George Henry Hales, 16919 Grenadier Guards, has died as the result of wounds received in action on March 21st. Pte Hales was formerly employed at Chatterley Whitfield Colliery. He enlisted on 2nd February 1914, and has been wounded on four separate occasions.