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Soldier in the Queen Victoria Rifles killed in Guinchy.

Andrew Behan has researched Slade: Rifleman George William Slade was born on 24 March 1883 in Knutsford, Cheshire, the eldest son and second of the four children of William Slade and Emma Slade née Barnes. His father was a Railway Accountant Clerk. On 14 October 1883 he was baptised at St John the Baptist Church in Knutsford. The 1891 census shows the family living at King Street, Knutsford, Cheshire. Railway records for the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway, that changed its name to the Great Central Railway, show that he was employed by them in their Goods Audit Department on 27 September 1898 whilst living in Oak Avenue, Romily, Stockport, Cheshire and was paid £20 per annum. This was increased to £30 per annum on 27 September 1899 and to £40 per annum on 27 September 1900. The 1901 census informs that that the family were living at 5 Oak Avenue, Romily and both he and his father were shown as Railway Clerks. The 1911 census shows him with his family residing at 'Neotsford' Longley Road, Wealdstone, Harrow, Middlesex and he is still recorded as a Railway Clerk.

In early 1916, both he and his youngest brother, Fred, who was employed as a clerk by a paper maker manufacturer, enlisted In the 9th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles). His service number was 5808 and his brother's was 5872. Together they entered France on 12 July 1916 and both died on 9 September 1916. He was aged 33 years and his brother was 23 years old. Whilst George has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Picardy, France, his brother was buried in Plot 15, Row, 3, Grave 18 in the Serre Road Cemetery No.2, Hébuterne, France.

Probate records show that both he and his brother were living with their parents at 89 Longley Road, Harrow-on-the Hill, Middlesex. On 31 October 1916 his father was granted administration of his estate and his effects totalled £247-4s-5d. On 11 December 1916 his father was sent £4-6s-4d as his army effects followed by a further army effects payment of 1s-9d on 26 March 1917. A war gratuity of £3-0s-0d was sent to his father on 18 September 1919. Both he and his brother were posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal and both are also commemorated on wooden panels inside what was The Memorial Hospital and is now a day nursery and headquarters of the local branch of the British Red Cross, Memorial House, Northwich Road, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 0AW.

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