Biography - Courtesy of Sheila Riches - Syderstone Community Archive

Biography - Courtesy of Sheila Riches - Syderstone Community Archive

George Greeves was born about 1879 either inTattersett or Syderstone. I believe he was the son of John and Leah Greeves (nee Seaman). On the 1871 Census John and Leah were living in Flitcham, Norfolk with son Jonathon and daughter Mary Elizabeth. Their daughter Agnes Emma Seaman Greeves was born probably in Tattersett in 1876 but died at the age of 14 months, she was buried in Tattersett on 1st June 1877. Leah died in 1880 and was buried on 2nd December 1880 in Syderstone, On the 1881 Census George is living in Syderstone with his Father and siblings Jonathon, Mary Elizabeth and James at the home of John’s brother and sister (Francis Greeve and Margaret Greeves) He was recorded as Francis’s Nephew. George lived with his aunt and uncle in Syderstone, between1881-1891. In 1895 his brother Jonathon died and in 1898 George’s Father John, also died, both are buried in Syderstone. In September 1896 George was attested into the Norfolk Militia (Norfolk Regiment). He is described as being 17 yrs. 11mnths old, 5ft 4ins tall, weighing 141 lbs with brown hair, fair complexion and hazel eyes. He was transferred to the Royal Artillery on 23rd October 1896. His unit was 2 Battery Royal Field Artillery, Rank: Driver and Regimental Number: 16884. George then served in South Africa during the Boer War. Records shows he was entitled to the Queen’s South Africa Medal with the following clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal and the 1901 and 1902 South Africa Medal. He also served in the RA Depot in Pretoria, South Africa. George was serving in the RFA in Bangalore, India on the 1911 Census. George was still serving at the start of WW1 and he disembarked in France with the BEF on 19th August 1914. He died on 23rd November 1915 in St Silvestre Cappel in France. Cause of death was suffocation. George was awarded the 1914 Star with clasp, British and Victory Medals. He served in the 3rd DAC and 6 Battery 40th Brigade RFA. He was buried in the Steenvorde Communal Cemetery. Steenvorde is a small town some 2 kilometres from the border with Belgium. It is due north of Bethune, south-south-east of Dunkerque and is at Junction 13 of the A25 motorway between the coast and Lille. The communal cemetery is on the left hand side of the road to Poperinge (D948) near the town centre. The Commonwealth graves will be found at the bottom left hand side of the cemetery. War gratuity was paid to his sister Mary Elizabeth Howard (nee Greeves). Mary Elizabeth married Robert Howard in 1896 and by 1911 they were living with their family in Regents Park, London. On the Syderstone War Memorial George is recorded as George S. Greeves. As I cannot find any birth or baptismal record I can only assume that perhaps, his middle name could have been Seaman after his Mother’s maiden name. His brother James and sister Agnes also had Seaman as a middle name.

Created by: , Jean36823

  • Profile picture for George Greeves

    Died 1915

    British Army 16884 Driver Royal Field Artillery