Edward 'George' Perry

Edward 'George' Perry was born in Little Dunmow in 1898. Baptised at The Priory Church, Little Dunmow on 24th April 1898.

In 1911 the census records the Perry family living near the school at Little Dunmow.
Frederick George Perry – age 52 – Traction Engine Service – born Duton Hill.
Lucy Perry – age 51 – born Great Dunmow.
James Thomas Perry – age 27 – Carpenter – born Little Dunmow.
Frederick Charles Perry – age 26 – Railway Porter – born Little Dunmow.
Emma Perry – age 22 – born Little Dunmow.
William Perry – age 20 – Carpenter - born Little Dunmow. (served with 9^th Lancers)
Frank Perry – age 19 – Carman on Farm – born Little Dunmow. (served with 9^th Essex Regiment)
Edward George Perry – age 13 – at school – born Little Dunmow.
Florence Nellie Perry – age 10 – at school – born Little Dunmow.
Percy John Perry – age 7 – at school – born Little Dunmow.

Edward it seemed preferred his second name as his army record gives his full name as George Edward Perry, and the painted war memorial at Little Dunmow commemorates him as George Perry. On joining the army he gave his occupation as Cowman.

He reported for his army medical on 30^th January 1917, when he gave his age as 18 yrs 11 months. He is described of being of good health, 5 ft 6 inches tall, with a chest measurement of 37 inches, and weight 139 pounds. His eyesight is recorded as 6/9.
 

George might have thought the army had forgotten about him as he wasn’t called up until 20^th June 1918, when his given age is 20 years 4 months. At his attestation he expressed a preference to join the Royal Garrison Artillery, but became Private soldier 39208 with the 9th Battalion the Norfolk Regiment.

He was then posted to Norfolk for training. He embarked for France at Dover on 11^th October 1918, arriving at Calais on the same day.

His record shows that his draft joined the battalion at the front on 20^th October 1918.

Just one day later on 21^st October 1918 he was wounded by shell fire in the left foot. He was then transferred through the casualty clearing stations and field hospitals finding his way to Rouen on 24^th October 1918. He was certified not fit for duty and sent back to ‘Blighty’ aboard the hospital ship S.S. Aberdonian. He was admitted to the war hospital in Exeter on 4^th November 1918. His medical record shows that his wound had been sealed for over a week, and needed to be re-opened and cleaned.

George died of wounds and Septicaemia age 20 on 5th December 1918.

Due to an administrative error his Father was not notified until 10^th December 1918.

He is buried in the churchyard at Little Dunmow.