George Stratton's Story.
George was born in Seacombe, Cheshire in 1893, to parents Joseph, a cabinet maker, and Catherine. In 1901 they were living at 5, Gomer Gardens, Seacombe. George had two sisters, Agnes and Marjorie and a brother John.Sadly in 1903, at just 32 years of age, George’s mother Catherine died. By 1911 the family had moved to 227 Conway Street, Birkenhead and by then George was an architect’s assistant.
In October 1916 George married Hannah Adams in St Peter’s Church, Birkenhead. Almost straightaway he enlisted in the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards.
His battalion were fighting on the Western front including action in the Battle of the Somme, and the Battle of Passchendaele.
On the 21st March 1918 the Germans launches the Spring Offensive, their last major offensive in the First World War. It is likely that George was wounded during this period and was removed from the front to Etaples, where both British and Canadian hospitals were situated. It was here on the 7th April 1918 that George died of his wounds.
George’s younger brother John Poustie Marl also served during the First World War as a driver with the Army Service Corps, being discharged in December 1918.
Information provided by Chris