George Masters Emery was born in Crawley in 1894, his birth recorded at Horsham in the June quarter of that year.  He appears on the 1901 census of England and Wales living at Fay Gate Road, Rusper, West Sussex with his family.  The family comprised: Michael Emery (head, aged 47, working as a flower pot maker), his wife Maria Louisa Emery (aged 47) and their children: Harry Emery (aged 16, working as a carter boy on a farm), Emily Emery (aged 11), Annie Emery (aged nine), George (aged six) and Arthur Ernest Emery (aged four).

 

There were other children too.  The 1891 census shows the family living at High Brook, West Hoathly, Sussex. Children (and their ages in 1891) not noted above are: Francis W Emery (aged 10), Maud M Emery (aged eight), Ada H Emery (aged six), and Blanche Emery (aged two).  Henry Emery (George Masters’ grandfather), a 75 year old widower, was also living at the house.

 

Chailey Parish Magazine first mentions George Emery in July 1916, noting: Emery, Gnr G M, RHA, France.  In fact he had already been in France for a year by the time this information appeared.  His medal information card at the National Archives states that 101822 Gunner George M Emery of the Royal Horse Artillery arrived in France and Flanders on 21st July 1915.

 

The Commonwealth War Graves’ Commission (CWGC) notes that George died of wounds on Friday 15th December 1916 aged 22.  He is buried in the north eastern corner of Chessington St Mary Churchyard, Surrey and is the only 1914-18 burial in this churchyard.  I have been unable to find a link between George and Chessington (and indeed, Chailey), but it is possible that he was living in Surrey at the time of his enlistment. The CWGC also notes on its Debt of Honour Register, that he was the son of Michael and Maria Louisa Emery of Lancers Cottages, Colgate, Horsham.

 

The Reverend Jellicoe was certainly kept informed of events.  In the January 1917 edition of the  parish magazine, he added George's details to the growing Roll of Honour: Gnr G M Emery, RHA, died of wounds, Dec 15th 1916.  There is no mention of him in Soldiers Died in The Great War.

 

George's brother Arthur also served his King and Country during the First World War and survived.

 

 

Sources and Acknowledgements

 

• 1891 Census of England and Wales
• 1901 Census of England and Wales
• England and Wales, Civil Registration Index: 1837-1983
• The Commonwealth War Graves’ Commission’s Debt of Honour Register
• The National Archives: Medal Index Card
• Chailey Parish Magazine
• John Armstrong for the photograph of George Emery's grave which is reproduced on this page