George Haslam (1894–1973)

Sergeant

South Wales Borderers 4373 & 44521 51st Battalion

Photo Courtesy Barbara Haslam

George Haslam

Biography
George was born in 1894. He and best friend, cousin Jim Holmes, were in Crich Brass Band before the start of the war. They were both in the regimental band of the South Wales Borderers and were demobbed as sergeants. When they both in the Training Reserve Jim's regimental number was 4370 and George's 4373. Before the war George worked as a blacksmith. He married Ruth Towndrow in 1920, became a dairy farmer at Park Head and later moved to School Farm, Crich. He later took over the village blacksmith business.

Newspaper reports

Derbyshire Courier, 8 February 1919
Corporal George Haslam, of Town End, Crich, came home on leave last week from Germany, where he has been with the Colgne army of occupation.

Derbyshire Courier 21 June 1919
Corporal George HASLAM, South Wales Borderers, of the Town End, Crich, writing home, says he won second prize in the bandsmen’s race at the Whit Monday sport held in the Cologne district. Sergeant James HOLMES, of Crich, was playing with the same band during the week. Both were players in the Crich Silver Band. Corporal Haslam's prize was a razor and case.

Derbyshire Courier, 30 August 1919
Sergt George Haslam, South Wales Borderers, of the Town End Crich, arrived home on Saturday from Germany, after having been demobilised. Sergt Haslam along with Sergt James Holmes of Crich, Joined the Borderers in January 1916. Since the armistice both have been with the Rhine occupation army and have played with the military bands there. Before joining up they were members of Crich Silver Band.

Derbyshire Courier 3 April 1920
Mr George HASLAM, of the Town End, Crich, youngest son of the late Mr F. HASLAM, was married at Ashover on Monday to Miss Ruth TOWNDROW, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Matthew TOWNDROW, of Coldharbour, Ashover. The bridegroom who is a prominent playing member of the Crich Silver Prize Band, served with the South Wales Borderers in the wall, and was with the Rhine occupation army.
there followed a report of the wedding]

Medal Index Cards
George HASLEM, South Wales Borderers; T/Sgt; 1/5; awarded Victory and British War medals; 4373 (Training Reserve) & 44522

Regimental Photographs

Courtesy Barbara Haslam

George Haslam

George (seated) as Lance Corporal

George Haslam and fellow soldiers

George, third left, as a Corporal

South wales Borderers Band in WW1

George Haslam seated left with Jim Holmes standing seventh from the left

George Haslam and James Holmes in WW1

George Haslam standing sixth from the left with Jim Holmes next to him, seventh left

George Haslam's brothers John Haslam and Wilfred Haslam are also on Roll of Honour.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Coddington

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Frederick Haslam Head 47 Stone mason Crich
Sarah E Haslam wife 41   Wirksworth
Lavina Haslam daughter 18 Machinist cotton mill Crich
Annie E Haslam daughter 16 Machinist cotton mill Crich
Wilfred Haslam son 13   Crich
John Haslam son 9   Crich
George Haslam son 6   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 50 page 19

1911: Near church, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Sarah Ellen Haslam Head (wdw) 51   Wirksworth
John Haslam son 19 Framework Knitter Crich
George Haslam son 16 Blacksmith Crich

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1918 Crich voters
George Haslam, The Common; absent on military service

1939 Register: School Farm, Crich
George Haslam b.7 July 1894; Master blackmith, heavy worker
Ruth M Haslam b.20 March 1893
Sarah E Haslam b.7 August 1859; widowed