Sergeant
South Wales Borderers | 4373 & 44521 | 51st Battalion |
Photo Courtesy Barbara 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's brothers John Haslam and Wilfred Haslam are also on Roll of Honour.
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 |
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 |
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