Labour Corps, Service no. 164549
Born: 1881. Died: 1950
George was baptised in Kippax on 30th October 1881. He was the illegitimate son of Emma Howson, who was the illegitimate daughter of Mary Elizabeth Howson. In 1891, George was living with his mother, and his Great Grandfather James Howson, who passed away in 1896. They stayed at 27 School Lane, Kippax, and George was a coal miner.
George enlisted for the Army on 28th February 1915, with the York and Lancaster Regiment, and was part of the Expeditionary Force, but soon transferred to the Labour Corps Unit. These Units were often deployed for work within range of the enemy guns, sometimes for lengthy periods, and George was wounded in France, suffering a gunshot injury to his right shoulder. It was noted that he had blue marks on his right shoulder blade too, but these were scars from coal mining. He returned home from France on 21st May 1916, and was discharged from the Army on 10th March 1919, as being ‘surplus to military requirements having suffered impairment since entry in the service.’ George was awarded a weekly pension from the Army of 5s 6d from 5th October 1918, although this was subject to review in a year’s time. George passed away at the age of 69.
Kippax Roll of Honour 