The 1901 Census
notes George Henry Still, aged nine months, living at North Common, Chailey. At
the time the census was taken, he was the youngest of eight children. His father,
Albert Still, aged 37 is noted as an Ordinary Agricultural Labourer born at Hurspierpoint, Sussex. His mother, Fanny Still, aged 35, had been born at Henfield, Sussex. George’s brothers and sisters, in age order,
are noted as: Alice Still (15, born at Cowfold, Sussex
and working as a laundry maid) and Albert Still (13, born at Lindfield, Sussex and working as a telegraph boy). The family would
appear to have moved to Chailey just after Albert junior had been born (around 1887) because the remaining children are all
recorded as having been born there. They were: Alfred Still (aged 12), Arthur
Still (aged nine), Edward Still (aged seven), Ernest Still (aged four), Daisy Maud Still (aged three) and finally George Henry
whose date of birth must have been around June 1900.
In September 1918,
Chailey Parish Magazine notes Stoker G Still is situated at the Royal Navy Barracks.
In December 1918 it notes that he is serving aboard HMS Assistance as a
stoker and this information is repeated monthly until the final entry in July 1919.
HMS Assistance was a Repair and Laundry ship launched on 22nd December 1900 and eventually scrapped in 1937.
George’s
brothers Albert, Arthur, Edward and Ernest all served during the First World War and all survived.
Sources & Acknowledgements
· 1901 Census of England & Wales
· Chailey Parish Magazine
· www.battleships-cruisers.co.uk
