 Son of Mr Thomas & Mrs Eliza Britchford
Husband of Hilda May
Aged 29 years
Died 3rd May 1917
Commemorated on the Arras Memorial
Bay 4 & 5
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Born and enlisted at Rushden.
Note: It is thought that two entries for the same man are on the war memorial. |
| When George joined the 4th Northants Regiment on 3rd December 1915, he was living with his wife Hilda May, in Wymington. He had two brothers, one sister, two half sisters and one half brother and the family lived at 12 Pratt Road. His grandfather James Baker lived in Glassbrook Road.
George was posted to the 4th East Yorks Regiment on 24th September 1916 and was killed in action on 3rd May 1917.
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The Rushden Echo Friday 8 June 1917, transcribed by Nicky Bates
Rushden Soldier Killed - Private George Britchford
A Former Boot Operative - A Wymington Bereavement
Official news has been received that Pte George Britchford, 27928, - East Yorkshire Regt., son of Mrs A Davies, of 12 Pratt-road, and husband of Mrs Britchford, of High-street, Wymington was killed in action on May 3rd in France.
Deceased who was 28 years of age, enlisted in December 1916. In July 1916 he married Miss West of Wymington.
For eight years he worked for Messrs. Knight and Laurence, boot manufacturers, Rushden, and subsequently he was in the employ of Messrs. E Claridge and Sons. A message of sympathy from the King and Queen has been received.
On Wednesday Mrs Britchford received the following letter from Corpl H Towse, of D company, - East Yorkshires:-
"With great regret I write to inform you that your husband was killed in action on May 3rd. He was killed early in the morning by a shell while on the point of duty in the trench we were holding. He was buried the same evening along with another lad killed at the same time. All N.C.O.s and men of D company sympathise with you in your great bereavement."
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The Rushden Echo Friday 22 June 1917, transcribed by Nicky Bates
Memorial Service at Rushden - The Newton Road District Fallen Heroes
A deeply impressive memorial service, which was attended by a large gathering, was held on Sunday evening at the Newton-road Roll of Honour. The service was in memory of the seven men who have made the supreme sacrifice for their country - Geo. H Britchford, Frank Chambers, and Charles Dilley of Pratt-road, Tom Cook, Raymond Percival and Harry Tew, Newton-road, and Charles H Bunning of Robinson-road.
After singing the hymn "Oft in danger," - a favourite of one of the boys - prayers were offered and a portion of the 11th chapter of St John's was read by the Rector, the Rev P Robson. Miss Evelyn Harlow sang very sympathetically the hymn "Nearer my God to thee" after which a sympathetic and helpful address was given by the Rector on the words "Let not your heart be troubled." The hymn "Jesu, Lover of my soul" was heartily sung to the tune "Aberystwyth", and the Rev P J Richards addressed the gathering on the words "To live in Christ, to die is gain", urging his hearers to do what they could to share and lessen the troubles of others. Absent friends were remembered in the singing of the hymn "Holy Father, in they mercy", and after the National Anthem had been sung the "Last Post" was sounded by the bugles of the Church Lad's Brigade of which Charles H Bunning was a member.
A collection was taken and realised 25s. Beautiful flowers had been placed on the "Roll" for the occasion. Miss E Attley presided at the piano, which was kindly lent by Mrs C Ette. Fortunately the storm held off until all the people had gone.
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