Lives of the First World War

known 28th March 1919

The CWGC Record tells us" Chanak Consular Cemetery (known locally as the English Cemetery - Ingiliz Mezarligi) is 2 kilometres east of the ferry terminal, near to the (now called Canakkale) town stadium." it goes on to explain that the cemetery was used between 1918 and 1920 by No.84 Field Ambulance, No.28 Casualty Clearing Station and No.49 Stationary Hospital, which were stationed at Chanak. It also records George Hunt as serving in the 9th (Service) Battalion at the time of his death. The 9th (Service) Battalion was part of 65th Brigade, 22nd Division and served in Macedonia from 1915 to 1919. After the Armistice the battalion moved to Stravros, Salonika. Education classes were started and were attended on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On 1st January 1919 the first group of men, all former miners, were sent for demobilisation. Further groups of men trickled out towards demobilisation but some drafts of reinforcements also arrived. During late February the battalion was ordered to join the British Army of Occupation in Turkey and on 7th March 1919 the remaining 11 officers and 200 men of the battalion, including George Hunt sailed from Salonika aboard HMS Kapurthala for the Dardanelles. The Battalion landed at Chanak on the eastern shore and relieved the 1st Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment, taking over that unit’s stores and equipment. One hundred and five officers and men of the York & Lancasters were then posted in to the Battalion, as were an officer and 139 men of the 1st Battalion The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. On the 28th of March the battalion's last casualty recorded in the War Diary occurred when 204155 Private George Hunt died after being kicked on the head by a mule. A military funeral was held the following day and George Hunt's body was buried in Chanak Consular Cemetery where it still lies. In April 1919 the George Hunt's unit, 9th (Service) Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, was disbanded and never re-formed.

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