Dellar, George William Allen

George was born at Arrington, Cambridgeshire in the 4^th quarter 1876, the second son of Benjamin and Sarah (nee Pett) Dellar.  Before enlisting he was an agricultural labourer.

George initially enlisted at Woolwich, London on 14 October 1899 with the Royal Horse and Field Artillery, Regimental Number 1476, and was attested a Driver.  He deserted at St John’s Wood, London on 12 April 1900.  At the outbreak of WWI George enlisted at Bedford, Bedfordshire on 9 November 1915 with the Bedfordshire Regiment.  His attestation papers report he claims to have served with the Irish Fusiliers for eight years.  On 1 September 1916 he joined the Suffolk Regiment, Reserve Garrison Battalion.  In February 1917 he transferred again to the Bedfordshire Regiment, Regimental Number 31203 and was sent to the Western Front, France and Flanders.  He suffered a minor wound in October 1917 but after 10 days recovery was returned to duty.  He survived the War and was demobilised on 11 April 1919

George was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour.

George had 3 children, Allen Randolph born 8 May 1911 at Doncaster, Yorkshire, Marjorie Barbara born 10 October 1912 at Barnsley, Yorkshire, Henry George Adolph born 15 January 1915 at Sheffield Yorkshire prior to marrying Ethel Mary Stockdale at Ashwell on 19 August 1916.  They had six children, all born at Ashwell, Hertfordshire, Aleph John William born 25 March 1916, Anthony born 9 September 1917, Gertrude M born 1920, Florence J born 1922, Naomi Maud Love born 1 January 1925 and Thelma J born 1929.

In 1916, soon after George had enlisted, Ethel wrote to the military services saying she and her children were destitute with no food and ‘not a penny in the house’, and begging that they pay her the dependants’ allowance, which the army seemed to have done.

The 1939 census shows the family living in Biggleswade with George a farmer’s carter.

George died in the Biggleswade District in the 2^nd quarter 1943.