Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Wesson, a mechanic, born 29th July 1862 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and his wife Elizabeth Rose Wesson (nee Tinkler, married on the 14th June 1886 in the Leicester district), born on the 14th November 1860 in Scalford, Leicestershire. George Henry was born in the 4th quarter of 1888 in St. Margaret’s, Leicester, he had one sibling, a brother Alfred, born in the 4th quarter of 1889 in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at Frank Street, Leicester. In March 1901 George was residing in the family home at Gibb’s Villas, Park Road, Coalville, Leicestershire together with his father, a locomotive engine fitter, his mother and siblings, Alfred, Nelly, born 26th June 1891, Florence May, born 31st March 1894, Archibald B., born 1st August 1895, the latter three siblings were all born in Leicester, Thomas, born 13th October 1896 and Harold, born 9th February 1900, the latter two siblings were both born in Coalville. On the 23rd August 1910, George’s mother died aged 47 in Coalville. In April 1911 George was absent from the family home at 65, Park Road, Coalville, residing there was his widowed father, an engineer’s locomotive fitter, and his siblings, Nelly, a house keeper, May, a domestic servant, Archibald, a coal miner and underground pony driver, Harold, a schoolboy and Rose Dorothy, born 6th March 1902 in Coalville, George was serving as a Private with the 1st Battalion Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) and was stationed at Gough Barracks, Trimulgherry, Deccan, India. His younger brother Alfred died from wounds received in action in March 1915. George also had a half blood sister, Ada Mary Tinkler, born in the 1st quarter of 1882 in Melton Mowbray, his father died on the 10th March 1948 aged 85 at 9, Swannington Road, Ravenstone, Leicestershire, this being the family home of George’s brother Thomas.
George attested into the Militia on the 10th February 1906 in Coalville, Leicestershire. He gave his place of birth as St. Mary’s, Leicester, his age as 17 years and 9 months and his trade or calling as collier, and his present employer as Mr. Hay, Manager of Whitwick Colliery, Coalville, Leicestershire. He gave his present home address as 65, Park Road, Coalville, Leicestershire, and confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father William, mother Elizabeth, brother’s Alfred, Archibald, Thomas and Harold, sister’s Nellie, May and Dorothy, all of 65, Park Road, Coalville, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 2¾ inches in height, weighed 101½ pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33 inches. His complexion was described as pale, he had dark brown hair and his eyes were brown. It was noted that he had a small scar on the right side of his head 2 inches above his ear. He gave his religion as Wesleyan. He was pronounced unfit for Militia service by the examining Medical Officer due to being under weight by 3½ pounds on the 13th February 1906. He was subsequently discharged from the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as not being likely to become an efficient Militiaman. George again attested into the Militia to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 27th October 1906 in Coalville, Leicestershire. He gave his place of birth as St. Luke’s, Leicester, his age as 18 years and 1 month and his trade or calling as collier, his present employer being Mr. J. Y. Hay of Coalville, Leicestershire. He confirmed that he was unmarried and stated that he was presently serving with the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. He gave his father William, mother Elizabeth, brother’s Alfred, Archie, Tom and Harold, sister’s Nellie and May, all of 65, Park Road, Coalville, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3¾ inches in height, weighed 110½ pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 31 and 34 inches. His complexion was described as dark, his hair colour was dark brown and he had brown eyes. It was noted that he had a scar on the left side of his head 3 inches above the ear and 1 inch behind it. He also had two small scars on the back of his head. He was found to be unfit for Militia service by the examining Medical Officer due to his having a sore throat, enlarged tonsils and glands under his jaw enlarged on the 29th October 1906 and was discharged as unfit for Militia Service.
George’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he enlisted into the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters), being allotted the service number 10601, and was posted as a Private to the 1st Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment and with this unit he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 4th November 1914. He attained the rank of Sergeant. He was awarded the 1914 STAR, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 8 - 10 May-15 – Report on the Offensive Operations from the 8th – 10th May 1915. The Battalion left billets in the neighbourhood of SAILLY at 10:25pm on Saturday 8th May. The assembly trenches, about 500 yards South of RUE PETILLON were reached at 12:25am 9th Inst. without mishap. At 5:00am our bombardment started. At 5:55am “B” and “D” Companies were getting into position preparatory to supporting the attack of the EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT behind the parados, “B” Company on the left and “D” Company on the right. – At 5:40am the EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT started the attack, but, owing to the enemy’s heavy Machine Gun fire, were checked, and our advance was consequently much delayed. This delay was also owing to the difficulty which the EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT experienced in filing their men through the Sally porte. – It was not until 6:10 that our leading platoons started to leap over the parapet of the fire trench close on the heels of the EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. On clearing our breastworks it was seen at once that the enemy had not been sufficiently shelled and that they were holding their trenches in strength. The enemy’s parapet appeared entirely untouched by our artillery fire, and between points 375 and 373 there were 8 Machine Guns, some in fixed positions; others were being fired from the top of the breastwork without tripods. The EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT at this time appeared to be held up about 20 yards in front of our advanced trenches. In consequence of this, the leading platoons of our attacking Companies changed direction half right, and advanced against point 373, but were still under Machine Gun fire. This part of the enemy’s line appeared to be still more strongly held. The leading platoon of “B” Company succeeded in getting to within 40 yards of the German line. The wire was only cut by our guns in one place, making a gap about 4 yards wide, and in several places it was noticed that the Chevana-de-prisis were sunk, which probably accounts for the wire not being cut more effectively. At this time an order was passed up the trenches “From General Officer Commanding, Stop Advance.” And it was noticed that THE ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT and some of the EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT who were on the left and our Companies were withdrawing to the low line of trenches immediately in front of our breastwork. The Adjutant immediately proceeded to the left, the direction from which the message had come and spoke to General LOWRY COLE, asking if the order applied to 24th Brigade. He replied, “No.” When the Adjutant returned, he found that the Commanding Officer then ordered “B” and “D” Companies to withdraw behind the breastwork and re-organize. It was then 7:30am. At 7:35am “A” and “C” Companies were ordered to support the EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT when they advanced, themselves being supported by “B” and “D” Companies who had by this time been re-organized. Some of the EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT were lining the road 50 yards in front of our leading platoons, who had leaped over the parapet and were lying there ready to support them. At 11:00am Captain YOUNG whose re-organized Company – “B” – were in the support trenches behind our breastwork, was wounded with 5 others, by a shell. All this time the EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT had not advanced, as we were waiting for orders from the Division, our half of “A” Company were still lying in the open. At 1:15 the Germans bought an enfilade shell full on to our trenches from our left front. Several shells falling into our trenches. At 1:20 the Commanding Officer, Major MORLEY had his arm broken by a piece of shrapnel, and Captain WAYTE assumed command of the Battalion. Just before Major MORLEY was wounded he ordered “A” and “C” Companies to withdraw to the breastworks. At 1:45 there was a lull in the German shelling. Intermittent shelling by the enemy continued until 6:00pm with some effect. At this time and until 7:30 they started to shell with high explosives the breastworks where the Battalion was, causing many casualties among officers and men, and doing considerable damage to the parapet. One shell alone, which landed in the trench where the Commanding Officer and the Adjutant were, killed a ROYAL ARTILLERY observation officer (name unknown), Lieutenant STONEHAM of this Battalion, and wounded 2nd Lieutenant’s C.T. WATSON, J. H. STACKHOUSE and five men. At this time the men were becoming demoralised and started crowding down the trenches to our right. It was then that the Adjutant, Lieutenant MILLER with the utmost coolness and gallantry ran along the entire line and by his personal example saved the situation. The men returned to their posts and returned the hot rifle fire of the Germans who were threatening a counter-attack. Soon after 10:00pm the Battalion was relieved by the WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT, and was ordered to bivouac near ROUGE DE BOUT. Owing to the shellfire on all the approaches, and at PETILLON cross roads, it was not possible to proceed in any compact formation. Company Commanders were therefore ordered to lead away independently and ROUGE DE BOUT was reached about 1:00am Monday 10th May.
On Saturday May 29th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE WAR.” – ROLL OF HONOUR. – Mr. William Wesson, engine fitter, of Margaret Street, Coalville, has been officially informed that his son, Sergt. Geo. Harry Wesson (10601), of the Notts. and Derbyshire Regiment, was killed in action at a place not stated on May 9th. It may be recalled that another of Mr. Wesson’s sons, Sergeant Alfred Wesson, was killed in action on the 12th March. Both brothers were in the Sherwood Foresters (Notts. and Derbyshire Regiment), and had served in India. They visited England before going to France, and spent their leave in Coalville. Mr. Wesson has another son in Kitchener’s Army, and his fourth son, a boy of 15 years of age, is applying to enlist as a bugler. The father says that if he had a dozen sons, he would agree to them all enlisting.
On Monday 19th July 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – Coalville Brothers Killed in Action. - ARMY CHAPLAIN’S LETTER OF CONDOLENCE. Mr. William Wesson, of 106, Margaret-street, Coalville, whose sons Sergeants G. H. and Alfred Wesson, were killed at the front after serving some years in the Sherwood Foresters in India, has received the following letter from an army chaplain at the Rawal Pindi, British General Hospital, Boulogne Base, British Expeditionary Force, dated 15th inst.:-
Dear Mr. Wesson, - I enclose a photograph of the soldiers’ graves at Wimereux, at the request of the Rev. R. F. Callaway. If you would kindly write to me in about a month’s time I will send you a copy of another we are having taken ...There is no charge for the photograph, but if you cared to send a small donation, I would hand it to the English lady who has made herself responsible for the upkeep of the graves. The ladies and some of the hospital orderlies are very good in spending their spare time in planting flowers, etc., and later on we hope to have turf placed on the graves. I must offer you my deepest sympathy in the second great loss you have had. It is indeed sad, but you will, I know, rejoice that your boys answered the call of duty rather than that they were shirkers. They have done what they could, and no man can do more. No one would wish them to do less, least of all, I am sure, yourself. Your share is the sorrow of being left to mourn them. May the God who made us, give you comfort, and then peace and rest. I am yours, sincerely, ARTHUR LONGDON (Chaplain to the Forces).

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Article from Coalville Times 28/05/1915:

Coalville Sergeant Killed - Two in one family

News was received from the War Office on Saturday morning by Mr W. Wesson, engine-fitter, of Margaret Street, Coalville, that his son, Sergt. George H. Wesson, was killed in action on May 9th. His brother, Sergt. Alfred Wesson, it will be remembered was killed on March 14th. They were both in the Sherwood Foresters and had a short stay at Coalville on their way from India to France in October. Mr Wesson has another son in the army and a fourth son, a boy of 15, is eager to enlist as a bugler.

Sergt. G. H. Wesson was 27 years of age and was engaged to be married to a niece of the late Lieut. T. Dooley, for whom much sympathy is felt. On a memorial card which this young lady is having printed appears the following verse of her own composition.

“He rests in the tomb of a warrior’s grave For his King and Country he fought:
In heart he was kind, in action brave,
He has gone to the Saviour he sought.”

Coalville Times article - Friday June 4th, 1915

Coalville Railwayman's Two Sons Killed

Mr Wm. Wesson, 108 Margaret Street, Coalville, employed as engine fitter at the Midland Railway locomotive sheds, Coalville, who has lost two sons, (Alfred and Harry, both sergeants in the Sherwood Foresters) in the war within two months – one in March and the other in May, has received the following letter from Lord Aberconway, the former member for the Bosworth Parliamentary Division, 49, Belgrave Square, London, 29th May, 1915.

Dear Mr Wesson,

I was very sorry to read in the papers the news that your son, Sergeant Geo. H. Wesson, has been killed in action. This following on the loss of his brother must be a great blow to you, but you ought to be proud that you had so many sons serving the country.

Like all your friends I sincerely trust that good fortune will follow your two other sons. Please convey to every member of your family, and to the young lady that he was to be married, my most sincere sympathy.

Believe me,
Yours truly.
ABERCONWAY

Coalville Times article - Friday November 10th, 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday evening an impressive service was held in the Coalville London Road Baptist Church in memory of thirteen former scholars of the Sunday School who have fallen in action. Their names are, Lieut. Ford, Lieut. T. Dooley, D.C.M., Sergeant Alfred Wesson, Sergeant G. H. Wesson, Privates C. W. Jewsbury, H. G. Wharmby, Clifford Scott, T. Black, E. S. Boot, F. Martin, Jos. Wardle, James Wardle and J. Martin.

There was a large congregation which included the members of the Coalville Volunteer Training Corps, under the command of Commandant J. S. Turner. The pastor, the Rev. F. Pickbourne, conducted the service and gave an appropriate address. The choir rendered Sullivan’s “Homeland” and Mr J. H. Starkey (organist) played a funeral march by Beethoven. Suitable hymns were also sung by the congregation.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 2/9/2017