Lives of the First World War

From General Gassoins to General Reed: Mon General ... After relieving your division in the pursuit on the Vesle, I established my Headquarters at Buzancy. I found there the traces still fresh of the exploits of your Scottish soldiers, and the officers of my staff were able to see clearly what hard fighting you had to gain possession of the village and, above all, the park. Wishing to leave on the spot some lasting tribute to the braver of your soldiers, I entrusted to one of my officers, Lieutenant Réné Puaux, the task of erecting there, with the material at hand, a small monument, emblematic of the homage and admiration of my Division for yours. The monument has on it a medallion, on which are inscribed thistles and roses, and beneath the words - HERE THE NOBLE THISTLE OF SCOTLAND WILL FLOURISH FOR EVER AMONG THE ROSES OF FRANCE and beneath - 17TH (FRENCH) DIVISION TO 15TH (SCOTTISH) DIVISION

A photograph taken shortly before the war, when George was a professional footballer for Southampton F.C.

Southampton FC player 1914-15

Winners of a local trophy. This was taken in April 1914, just as two of these players, George Crick and Harry Hall, signed to play for Southampton FC in the following season.

Team photograph of Southampton FC from the 1914-15 season.

Machine Gun Corps cap badge similar to the one which would have been worn by Corporal George William Crick