Tipton

Sapper 94434 George Robert Shirley

Died Home on Tuesday, 10th December 1918, age 27.
Buried in Grave In North-East part. at Ocker Hill (St. Mark) Churchyard, Staffordshire, United Kingdom.

Royal Engineers, 131st Field Company.

Husband of Harriet Shirley, of 100 Toll End Road, Ocker Hill, Tipton, Staffs.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Unknown, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, 22nd September 1915.
Medal entitlement: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the St. Mark's Memorial.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/395329/

Genealogical Data

Birth of George Shirley registered September quarter 1891 in Dudley.

1901 Census
20 Leabrook Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Cornelius Keay (31, Puddler, born Wednesbury), his wife Drucilla (36, born Tipton), their son William E. Keay (2, born Tipton), and Cornelius's step-son George R. Shirley (2, born Tipton). George's age is shown as 2, but this is an error as he was born in 1891, and would have been 9 years old.

1911 Census
176 Leabrook Road, Tipton, Staffs.
Boarding with Rachel Thompson, a 69 year-old widow was:
George Robert Shirley (20, General Labourer, born Tipton).

Marriage of George Shirley and Harriet Holder registered December quarter 1912 in Dudley. George and Harriett had 4 children: Emily born in 1913, Lily born in 1914, Harriett born in 1916, and Frederick born in 1918.

Personal Data

George enlisted with the 131st Company of the Royal Engineers; they were attached to the 26th Division, one of Lord Kitchener's New Army Divisions. They arrived in France in September 1915, but in November were transferred to Salonika where they remained or the remainder of the war.

After George's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £10/5/8d (10 pounds, 5 shillings and 8 pence); this was paid to his widow and sole legatee, Harriett, in June 1919. His War Gratuity was £21/0/0d (21 pounds exactly), this was also paid to his widow in June 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that George had enlisted in approximately August 1914.

Action resulting in his death

In Salonika the Division was involved in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in August 1916, the Battles of Doiran in April and May 1917, the Battle of Doiran in September 1918, and the Pursuit to the Strumica Valley September 1918.

George's Soldier's Effects papers record that he died from 'illness' in Walsall & District hospital. He had served in Salonika where sickness was widespread, and malaria was prevalent. George died almost a month after the war ended, on 10th December 1918, and is buried in St Mark's Churchyard, Ocker Hill, Tipton.

Newspaper Cuttings

None.