Soldier Spotlight highlights veterans from the Archives’ online Soldiers’ Memorial. Each week, our volunteers select a remarkable individual to showcase in this new blog series. The Soldiers’ Memorial commemorates more than 1,100 WWI veterans and 2,300 WWII veterans from our region. Three dedicated volunteers have contributed over 1,200 hours to this project by researching and writing biographies. Our goal is to have all South Peace soldiers acknowledged for their service. If you know of someone who lived in the South Peace and should be listed on the Memorial, or would like to get involved by researching a local veteran, please contact the Archives.
Regimental Number: 101471
Rank: Private
Branch: 8th Battalion
George was born in County Cork, Ireland on July 1, 1887. He came to the Peace country in 1914 to help put up telegraph line. George enlisted in Lake Saskatoon in October of 1915. He was wounded twice during the war; a gunshot wound to his left thigh in September of 1916 at the Somme, and once again to his left leg in May of 1917. George’s leg was fractured when he was shot the second time, and after it had healed, his left leg was about 2.5 inches shorter than the right. In his discharge papers, George stated: “I may say I have never received reparation for my mother, whom I can honestly say needs the money. Otherwise I am quite satisfied with everything. I am my mother’s sole support.” George married an Englishwoman from Bristol, who came to Canada on the first ship carrying civilians to North America after the Armistice. He died on August 10, 1973 in Victoria.
