Thurlow, George

George was born at Cheshunt, Hertfordshire on 9 July 1869, the second son of William and Lucy (possibly nee Smith) Thurlow. George was a pupil of the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.

George first enlisted with the Kings Royal Rifles at Winchester, Hampshire on 13 March 1887 as a Private, Regimental Number 5053.  On 25 November 1890 he was posted to India and took part in the Miranzi expedition of 1891 and the Isazal expedition of 1892. He also took part in the Relief of Chitral in 1895.  George returned to England in January 1897. On 13 December 1899 he was posted to South Africa to fight in the Boer War, returning to England on 3 April 1902 when he was discharged from the army.

George was awarded the India medal with clasps for Samana 1891, Hazara 1891 and Chitral 1895. He was also awarded the South Africa Medal.

At the outbreak of WWI George enlisted again in October 1915.  Nothing is known of this period of his military history.  At the time of enlisting he was working in a government factory, Royal Small Arms, so it is possible that this was a ‘reserved occupation’ and he remained working there throughout the War.  George survived the War.

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

The 1881 census shows the family living at Bygrave, Hertfordshire, which is why George would have been a pupil at the Merchant Taylors school in Ashwell.

The 1911 census shows George living a Enfield Lock, Middlesex, a  labourer in the workshop of the Government factory, Royal Small Arms.

George married Lizzie Ginn at Sacombe, Hertfordshire on 1 August 1887.  They had three children, Minnie born 2^nd quarter 1898, George William born 2^nd quarter 1900 and Stanley born 2^nd quarter 1905.

The 1939 census shows them living at Cheshunt, Hertfordshire with George a storeman, RSAF retired.

George died at Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire on 10 July 1948.