Harold George Gurney, known as George, was born in Leverstock Green, Hertfordshire in 1874 and baptised in St Mary’s Church on Good Friday in 1875. His parents were George Gurney and Sarah Carter and when George was born they lived in Buncefield where Georges’ father was a Gamekeeper.

By 1891 seventeen-year-old George was a ‘Farm Servant’ and living at Foster’s Farm in Redbourn, a farm situated where the Aubrey Park Hotel stands today. He later moved to Flowers Farm, half a mile way, and he was there in March 1896 when he enlisted in the Militia joining the 4th Bedfordshire Regiment.

Two years later in August 1898, when George transferred to the Militia Reserve, he was described on his Service Record as being of ‘Good’ character, standing 5ft 6ins tall with grey eyes, brown hair and of ‘Fresh’ complexion. In January 1900 George was embodied with the 4th (Militia) Battalion and sent to South Africa where the battalion disembarked on the 21st March as part of a contingent of 500 officers and men. George then served in the Second Boer War before returning home in April 1902. He was disembodied and discharged at this point having completed his term and was paid £5 as a ‘War Gratuity’ for his South African service.

George now returned to Redbourn and found employment in the nearby Brickfields, probably at Cupid Green about 2 miles distant. Before he had embarked for South Africa, George met Kate Batchelor and they became sweethearts. Kate was from Gaddesden Row and she married George at St. John the Baptist church in Great Gaddesden on Saturday, 22nd August 1903.

They initially lived with Kate’s family in Gaddesden Row and their first three children were born there; Kate in 1904, Albert Reginald in 1905 and a third unnamed child in 1907. Unfortunately, little Kate and the third child both died in infancy. George and Kate then moved back to Redbourn and lived in Church End close to Foster’s Farm. They then had two more children, Percy born in 1909 and the youngest, Cecilia May born in January 1911.

On the outbreak of war, George enlisted in October 1914 attesting in St Albans and re-joining his old regiment the Bedfords. He was posted to the 6th (Service) Battalion and sent to Aldershot for training. In May 1915 the Battalion moved to Salisbury Plain and on completion of training it was mobilised and sent to France in late June 1915. George followed at the end of August and soon saw action in the trenches, although the next ten months saw the routine of relief duties, trenching making and improving, drilling and resting.

In July 1916, the Battalion saw its first significant action when it fought in the Battle of Bazentin Ridge as part of the 112th Brigade’s attack on Pozieres. This engagement proved costly for the 6th Bedfords which suffered 330 casualties in just one day of fighting.

George was wounded during the assault and died the same day Saturday, 15th July 1916.

   

He is Remembered with Honour Thiepval, Somme, France, Pier and Face 2C.

At 42 George was one of the oldest men from Hemel Hempstead who died in the Great War.

He was entitled to the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.