George Edward South was born in 1891, the second of the three children of Edward South (b.circa 1864) and Edith Jessie South née Williams (b.circa 1863). His birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1891 in the Pancras Registration District, London. His father was a cabman/groom and the family lived at 47 Sidmouth Street, St Pancras.
When the census was compiled on 31 March 1901 he was shown as George South, aged 9 years and living in two rooms at 35 Acton Street, St Pancras, with his parents and two siblings: Frederick William South (1888-1971) and Edith Lizzie Smith (b.1898). His father was described as a cab driver.
In June 1910 he was appointed as an Assistant Postman in the London Postal Region.
When his brother completed the census return form on behalf of his father on 2 April 1911 he listed George Edward South as aged 19 years and G.P.O. postman living in three rooms at 120 Derby Buildings, Wicklow Street, Kings Cross, London, with his parents and two siblings: George William South, aged 22 years - a ledger clerk employed by a gramaphone (sic) company and Edith Lizzie South, aged 12 years and who was a scholar. His father was described as a chauffeur employed by a motor cab company. He confirmed that his mother had given birth to 3 children and that all were still alive.
He transferred to the London Western District Office in April 1912.
In late 1914 he enlisted in the 8th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Post Office Rifles), service number 2524. He entered France on 1 July 1915 and whilst serving in ‘C’ Company he was killed in action, aged 24 years, on 2 January 1916 and was in the Quarry Cemetery, 62980 Vermelles, France.
On 23 March 1916 his father was sent his army effects that totalled £6-14s-9d and on 22 November 1919 a £5-0s-0d war gratuity. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He is shown as "SOUTH, G.E." on the Western Postal District war memorial in Mount Pleasant, London, WC1. He is also commemorated on the , on the , on the , on the , on the and on .
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in to see them