CRICH PARISH

Crich, Fritchley, Whatstandwell, Bullbridge, Crich Carr, Coddington, Wheatcroft, Wakebridge

George Perry (1893–1917) ✞

Private

Photo courtesy Alan Perry

Biography
George was born in 1893, the son of Joel and Alice Perry. His father was an old soldier who had served in the 95th Foot during 1879, serving in Ireland, Egypt and India. George was one of the first to enlist and is on the photograph of the 1914 Crich recruits. He was killed, aged twenty-four, on 29th October 1917 and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Ian P. Macdonald; William Burr; William Curzon; John Walker; Nelson Martin;
Jack Kneebone; William Frost; Walter (Wammy) Mellors; Jack Cauldwell;
Jack Porter; George Perry; Noble Tomlinson

 

Included with these recruits are: Ian Macdonald; Billy Curzon; Jack Porter; Walter (Wammy) Mellors; Jack Kneebone; Billy Burr; Noble Tomlinson; Tom Coleman; Billy Frost; Luke Coleman; Jack Cauldwell; George Perry. It is believed that John Roe, brothers Herbert and Steven Bollington (and possibly John) are also amongst this group.

George Perry with Hannah Breedon

As was reported in the Derbyshire Times of 17th November 1917, George's father Joel was an old soldier having served the 95th Foot in 1879. He served in Ireland and fought at the Chitral, the Egyptian War, and the Indian Frontier.

 

 

 

George's sisters Ann and Rhoda with their father Joel c1908

Medal Roll Index Card
He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.

Newspaper article

Derbyshire Times, 17 November 1917
CRICH SOLDIER KILLED IN DUG-OUT
Mr Joel Perry, of the Market Place, Crich, received the sad news last week that his youngest son Pte George Perry, of the Sherwoods, was killed in action on the 29th ult., as the following letter from Lance-Corpl. Summers indicates: – "It is with my deepest sympathy I have to announce the death of your son, George Perry, attached to the Sherwoods. It was on Monday afternoon the 29th Oct. that the enemy opened a terrible bombardment on our strong-point, and about 4.30 a shell struck the main dug-out, and the captain and sergeant major and your son and several other fine fellows bravely gave their lives, and I can only thank God that I am here to write these sad lines to you. I and all our men send our deepest sympathy to you, as he was one of the finest men in the Company. If you wish to know further details I am willing to help you." Pte. George Perry was employed at the Butterley Co's Quarries, Crich, previous to enlisting in August 1914. He was 24 years of age last January, single, and lived with his father. His father is also an old soldier having served the 95th Foot in 1879 and served in Ireland and fought at the Chitral, the Egyptian War, and the Indian Frontier. In fact deceased belongs to a fighting family, as he had six nephews in the present war, and his grandfather, Mr John Perry, fought in the Crimean War.

The war diary says that they were improving the dugouts under RE instruction. [Steve Morse]

It is assumed that George's father Joel received a missing in action telegram. He sent a photo (which includes another soldier – probably his brother Joseph) with an enquiry regarding George to the War Office and received the following reply.

Sir, In further reply to your letter of 29th November 1917 concerning the above named soldier, I am directed to inform you that enquiries have been made and it is now reported from the Base that he was killed in action on the 29th October 1917. The original report that Pte. Perry was missing is due to the fact that at the time the casualty occurred definite information was not forthcoming.
The anxiety so caused to you is regretted but I am to point out that it is not always possible to obtain definite information regarding individual soldiers immediately after action.
I am to express the sympathy of the Army Council and to forward for your information together with the enclosure forwarded by you a leaflet regarding the case of soldiers’ graves in case it may not previously have come under your notice.

I am sir, your obedient servant, R. C. Fowler Mr J. Perry, Market Place, Crich, Derbyshire

His brother Joseph Perry was on the Crich Roll of Honour reported in the Belper News and Derbyshire Telephone dated 13 November 1914 , stangely George was not.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Soldiers' Effects Book
George Perry ; 10th BN Notts & Derby; Private 70508; killed in action 29.10.17; War Gratuity £13 10s 0d; paid out to:
17.4.18 fater Joel £8 4s 10d
14.11.19 father Joel £13 10s 0d

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Crich

Forename	Surname	Relationship	Age	Information	Where born
Joel	Perry	Head	45	Navvy	Crich
Alice	Perry	wife	37		Shrewsbury
Lilly	Perry	daughter	14	Domestic servant	Crich
William	Perry	son	13	Limestone quarry	Crich
Joseph	Perry	son	11		Crich
Ellen	Perry	daughter	10		Crich
George	Perry	son	8		Crich
Russell	Perry	son	5		Crich
Rhoda	Perry	daughter	4		Crich
Ann	Perry	daughter	1		Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 6 page 4

1911: Sun Lane, Crich

Forename	Surname	Relationship	Age	Information	Where born
Joel	Perry	Head (wdwr)	56	Hosekeeper	Crich
Lilly	Perry	daughter	24		Crich
William	Perry	son	23	Labourer general	Crich
Joseph	Perry	son	22	Labourer general	Crich
Ellen	Perry	daughter	20	Domestic	Crich
George	Perry	son	18	Labourer general	Crich
Rhoda	Perry	daughter	14	Domestic	Crich
Ann	Perry	daughter	11	School	Crich

RG14PN20984 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED13 SN135

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