George was born 31st October 1892 in Ardleigh, Essex (Tendring District) to William James and Louisa neé Taylor.
In the 1901 census, George was living in Ardleigh with his father, William, aged 42, a Horseman of Farm and mother, Louisa, aged 42 and 2 brothers, Ernest aged 17, an agricultural labourer and Albert, aged 12.
In the 1911 census, he was shown as living with his brother-in-law, Charles Francis New, a Carpenter and his wife, May Alice New and their 5 year old daughter Edna May at 179 Liverpool Road, Islington, London. George was aged 20 and employed as a farm labourer.
George married in October 1913 in Tendring, Essex to Alice Mary Durrant.
By 1915, George has given his address in his Short Service Attestation as Prince Lane, Dedham but has given his next of kin as being Alice Mary Rookard (his wife)at The White Horse, Badwell Ash.
In 1917, they had 3 children, Rhoda Adelaide (b. 5th Feb 1914 in Lawford), Reginald Cecil (b. 17th Feb 1915) and Hilda Violet (b.18th Feb 1915 in Dedham)…..the last two must be twins born before and after midnight.
Military and War: George enlisted at Colchester and in the Short Service Attestation dated 1st December 1915 has given his occupation as a Ironmongers Manager’s Assistant. George served in the Royal Garrison Artillery 57th Anti-Aircraft Company, Regimental No; 139474 in London.
He was discharged on 5th October 1918 for “bad varicose veins in both legs”. It seems he had bad varicose veins when he enlisted as the medical Officer stated that this was “somewhat palliated by bandages”. As a result, George never served abroad. In his own words to The Army in 1918, George stated “I am suffering with diseased varicose veins with both legs which started about 6 years ago. The cause of same I cannot tell but since I have been in the Army I had the legs operated upon and the continual walking about I have to do they have been much worse”.
He was discharged with a pension of £27.10s 0d p.a. (£1,725 p.a.2018).
Post War: There’s an entry in the 1939 register that could very possibly be George and Alice who are shown as living at 76 Fairstock Crescent, in the London Borough of Kensington.
George died on 4 March 1953 at Hammersmith Hospital, Hammersmith, Middlesex. Alice Rookard died on the 11th September 1961 and is buried in the Richer Road Cemetery, Row 12 Plot 1.
