The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private G Read

Photograph by "Maryton"

Private George READ, L/10578, 1st Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, died of Tetanus, 43 Field Ambulance, France, 17th May 1916.

Born Bermondsey, SE. son of Benjamin & Helen Elizabeth Read.

22nd August 1897, St Saviour, Southwark, London, baptism of George Read, son of Benjamin, (fish curer), & Helen Elizabeth Read, 11 Stephens Place.

1911 Census - 10 Laytons Grove, Borough High Street, London, SE - Benjamin Read, head, age 50, married, fish curer, worker, born Southwark, London; Helen Elizabeth Read, wife, age 47, married 27 years, 8 children, 5 still alive, born Southwark, London; Benjamin Read, son, age 24, single, fish porter, Billingsgate Market, worker, born Westminster, London; William Read, son, age 17, single, news vendor, own account, born Southwark, London; George Read, son, age 13, born Southwark, London; Isabella Read, daughter, age 10, born Southwark, London; Frederick Benjamin McQuillin, grandson, age 3, born Bermondsey, London.

Enlisted Southwark, SE. age 18 years & 160 days, height 5ft 4 inches, weight 110lbs, fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, scar right forearm, tattoo left forearm, scars both shins. Printers labourer.

Home 1st December 1914 to 21st April 1915; BEF 22nd April 1915 to 17th May 1916.

1st December 1914 enlisted; 2nd December 1914 posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 9th December 1914, posted 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 22nd April 1915, posted BEF & 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 23rd April 1915, 5 Infantry Base Depot; 25th April 1915, joined Battalion "C" Company In the Field; 20th September 1915, 7 days Field Punishment No.2.; 11th October 1915, 7 days Field Punishment No.2.;

9th July 1919, Statement of Relatives, completed by eldest sister, Mrs E E McQuillin, 11 Great Maze Court, Maze Pond, St Thomas Street, Boro, SE1- Widow, none; Children - none; Father, dead; Mother, dead; Brothers - Benjamin, age 33, address not known; William, age 26, address not known; Sisters - Ellen Emily, age age 35, 11 Great Maze Court, Maze Pond, Bermondsey, SE1; Isabella, age 19, 11 Great Maze Court, Maze Pond, Bermondsey, SE1.

25th September 1919, letter from B Read, 21, Rephidim Street, Tower Bridge Road, Bermondsey, London SE to Infantry Records - "Sir, I beg to make application for a copy of Army Form W.5080 for the issue of the Memorial Plaque and Scroll in respect of the late No.10578, Private George Read, 1sr Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. Date of death. 17th May 1916."

15th November 1920, letter from Mrs E E McQuillin, 11 Great Maze Court, Maze Pond, Bermondsey, SE1 to Infantry Records - "I the above is writing to yuou on ther behalf of Pte George Read L/10578 of 1st Royal West Kents, hearing that you are sending the Medals of the ???? I am asking you if you are sending the 1st Royal West Kents as by your letter sent to me on the 30th of January 1919."

17th November 1920, letter from Infantry Records to Mrs E E McQuillin, 11 Great Maze Court, Maze Pond, Bermondsey, SE1 - "Madam, With reference to your letter dated 15th inst. making application for Medals awarded to the late Soldier above named, I am directed to inform you that under War Office Instructions all medals awarded are the property of Mr B Read."

11th April 1921, Benjamin Read, brother, 21 Rephindin Street, Weston Street, Bermondsey, London SE.

Buried at Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, VIII. A. 11., Arras, France.

This page was last updated on 04-May-2026.