Person Details
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Name:
George Wilfred Berry
Casualty No.:
Initials:
G W
Service No.:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Barnard Castle
Age at Death:
33
Ranks:
Second Lieutenant
Unit:
5th D.L.I (Durham Light Infantry) -see notes
Teesdale Township:
Place Enlisted:
Home Address:
4 Horse Market, Barnard Castle
Civilian Employment:
Cause of Death:
Killed in Action
Date of Death:
25-January-1917
Place of Death:
Battles & Campaigns:
Locally Commemorated:
, ,
UK Commemorated:
Overseas Commemorated:
Buried:
Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery, France
Decoration and Medals:
Service :
Army
Service Records:
Killed
Death Notice/Obituary:

A letter from Captain W J Oliver describes how George died 'almost at once' from a bullet to the thigh as he was leading men into action. He goes on to say that 'We are all awfully sorry to lose so fine a friend and officer. The men will miss him terribly, as they liked him immensely. As for myself I cannot express to you my feelings, as he was one of the best officers I have ever had.'

Teesdale Mercury-05/09/1917: News item: Killed in Action

Teesdale Mercury-19/09/1917: News item: The late second Lieutenant G W Berry

Teesdale Mercury-19/09/1917: Return Thanks Notices

 

Family Details:

George was the second son of the late Thomas Berry and Mrs T Berry of  11 Montablo Terrace. He also had a sister. His father was a well known hosier and draper in Horsemarket as well as being the registrar of marriages. 

Notes:

He joined the Army in October 1914 in the City of London Fusiliers and was sent out to Malta to help the wounded returning from Dardanelles. On  30th December 1914 the Teesdale Mercury reported that George had spent Christmas Day with his regiment in the Bay of Biscay. In October 1915 he arrived home from the Mediterranean on a 'somewhat extended furlough'.  

His death notice in the Mercury describes how George was 'known to be a thoroughly good soldier and was greatly esteemed by fellow officers and the men under his command.  Always of a cheery and hopeful disposition he never feared danger and was ever willing to undertake the task allotted to him, however hazardous it might be.'

His mother, Mrs T Berry, received a telegram from Buckingham Palace expressing 'regret for the loss sustained' by the death of her son.

Teesdale Mercury-30/12/1914: Local and other notes: In Bay of Biscay for Christmas

 

Commonwealth War Graves Commission record gives date of death as 25/08/1917 and regiment as D.L.I.19th Bn.

Teesdale Mercury-06/01/1915: Local and other news: Arrival on continent

Teesdale Mercury-13/01/1915: Letter to Editor: Congratulations on joining up

Teesdale Mercury-27/10/1915: Local and other notes: Visiting Barnard Castle

Teesdale Mercury-05/09/1917: Roll of Honour Notice

Teesdale Mercury-19/09/1917: Local and other notes: Telegram from Buckingham Palace

 

 

 

Images:
Sources:
First Name: The Bowes Museum Roll of Honour (TBM/7/1/12); Private Individual; Last Name: The Bowes Museum Roll of Honour (TBM/7/1/12); Private Individual; Initials: The Bowes Museum Roll of Honour (TBM/7/1/12); Private Individual; Service: The Bowes Museum Roll of Honour (TBM/7/1/12); Private Individual; Ranks: The Bowes Museum Roll of Honour (TBM/7/1/12); Private Individual; Unit: The Bowes Museum Roll of Honour (TBM/7/1/12); Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Private Individual; Home Address: The Bowes Museum Roll of Honour (TBM/7/1/12); Service Records: The Bowes Museum Roll of Honour (TBM/7/1/12); Place of Birth: St Mary's Data; Cause of Death: St Mary's Data; Private Individual; Date of Death: St Mary's Data and Commonwealth War Graves Commission; Private Individual; Age at Death: ww.cwgc.org; Private Individual; Death Notice / Obituary: Teesdale Mercury; Buried: ww.cwgc.org; Private Individual; Notes: Teesdale Mercury; Local Memorials: www.newmp.org.uk; Teesdale Townships: Teesdale Poor Law Union 1914;
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