Royal Artillery
Born: 12th May 1921
Story
George Edward Scown’s parents were Edwin James Scown (1892-1949) who was originally from Woodstock, West Oxfordshire, and Martha Hudson (1894-1977), who married in Kippax on 5th February 1916. A few months after their wedding, Martha’s older brother, Benjamin Hudson, was killed in the First World War at the start of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916. Edwin Scown was also injured during the First World War. He served as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, under service number 221777, and was discharged early as a result of his injuries on 18th September 1918. Edwin was unable to work after the war, and received a War disability pension until his early death at the age of 56. Edwin and Martha lived at 44 Sandgate Terrace.
George also served as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery. Whilst serving in the Middle East, it was reported on 4th June 1943 that he had met George Morley, John Finneran, James Morton and Harold Batty, all of whom lived on Cliff Crescent, along with George. He wrote back to his parents to explain that it was customary to celebrate when a ‘Kippacer’ met a fellow ‘Kippacer’ whilst serving. George was hospitalised during his time in the Middle East, after suffering from dysentery. As John Finneran was taken prisoner in Libya, it is very likely George was also stationed there, and fought at the Battle of Gazala. Hospital conditions, as seen below, were very basic:
Returning to Kippax after the War, George married Joyce Thorp (1924-2000) on 1st May 1946. Joyce was the daughter of Jack Thorp (1895-1961) and Kate Alberta Monks (1900-1992), and perhaps unsurprisingly, they met on Cliff Crescent, as the Thorps lived at number 7. The couple moved to 4 Birch Drive. George passed away in 2002.
Kippax Roll of Honour 