Cpl
George Gritty
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 22/03/1892 |
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Place of birth: Enfield, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Machinist |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: Canadian Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Corporal |
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Service number: 69357 |
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Enlistment date: 28/11/1914 |
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Enlistment place: Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada |
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Units: — Canadian Infantry, 26th Bn. (New Brunswick) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 06/11/1917 |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 25 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: VII Row: F Grave: 18 |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
George Gritty was born on 22 March 1892 in Enfield, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom. He was the son of Sarah Gritty. Before enlisting, he emigrated to Canada, where he worked as a machine fitter. On 28 November 1914, at the age of 22, he enlisted in Saint John, New Brunswick. He was assigned to the 26th Battalion (New Brunswick), 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division.
George was killed on 6 November 1917 during the capture of Passchendaele, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. The 26th Battalion (New Brunswick) left Potijze around 11 p.m. on 4 November towards Seine Dump, where they arrived the next day around 1 a.m. There, the men dug in and tried to rest before moving again around 11 p.m. towards the jump-off positions for the 6 November attack. These positions stretched from what is now Passendalestraat to near Vienna Cottages and were reached on 6 November between 2.30 a.m. and 3 a.m. The attack on Passchendaele was to be carried out by battalions of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, who were responsible for the village itself. The men of the 26th Battalion (New Brunswick) of the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade would also take part in the assault, securing the right flank. Their objective line ran in an arc from just northeast of the village to just south of it, beyond Tiber.
Shortly after arriving at the jump-off positions, the battalion came under artillery and machine-gun fire, causing the first casualties. The attack began at 6 a.m. and was carried out by “A”, “B” and “D” Companies, while “C” Company remained in reserve. A barrage supported the advancing troops, and by 6.20 a.m., the extreme right positions were already in the hands of “A” Company. Then, at 6.40 a.m. and 7 a.m., the central and far-left positions were secured by “B” Company and “D” Company. All companies encountered relatively little resistance but suffered several casualties. Machine-gun crews offered the most resistance. After taking the enemy positions, the companies established contact with each other and consolidated their lines. Throughout the day, the Canadians endured artillery, sniper, and machine-gun fire. Enemy aircraft also strafed the newly captured positions all day long. During the night of 6–7 November, several patrols were sent out. A German counterattack was repelled by artillery fire. On 7 November, the newly captured front remained relatively calm, although the Canadians endured several smaller bombardments. At 10 p.m. that same day, the battalion was relieved by the 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles). During the capture of the enemy positions, 205 German prisoners were taken, but the battalion lost 42 killed, 206 wounded, and 1 missing.
George was killed at the age of 25. After the war, he was buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot VII, Row F, Grave 18.
George was killed on 6 November 1917 during the capture of Passchendaele, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. The 26th Battalion (New Brunswick) left Potijze around 11 p.m. on 4 November towards Seine Dump, where they arrived the next day around 1 a.m. There, the men dug in and tried to rest before moving again around 11 p.m. towards the jump-off positions for the 6 November attack. These positions stretched from what is now Passendalestraat to near Vienna Cottages and were reached on 6 November between 2.30 a.m. and 3 a.m. The attack on Passchendaele was to be carried out by battalions of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade, who were responsible for the village itself. The men of the 26th Battalion (New Brunswick) of the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade would also take part in the assault, securing the right flank. Their objective line ran in an arc from just northeast of the village to just south of it, beyond Tiber.
Shortly after arriving at the jump-off positions, the battalion came under artillery and machine-gun fire, causing the first casualties. The attack began at 6 a.m. and was carried out by “A”, “B” and “D” Companies, while “C” Company remained in reserve. A barrage supported the advancing troops, and by 6.20 a.m., the extreme right positions were already in the hands of “A” Company. Then, at 6.40 a.m. and 7 a.m., the central and far-left positions were secured by “B” Company and “D” Company. All companies encountered relatively little resistance but suffered several casualties. Machine-gun crews offered the most resistance. After taking the enemy positions, the companies established contact with each other and consolidated their lines. Throughout the day, the Canadians endured artillery, sniper, and machine-gun fire. Enemy aircraft also strafed the newly captured positions all day long. During the night of 6–7 November, several patrols were sent out. A German counterattack was repelled by artillery fire. On 7 November, the newly captured front remained relatively calm, although the Canadians endured several smaller bombardments. At 10 p.m. that same day, the battalion was relieved by the 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles). During the capture of the enemy positions, 205 German prisoners were taken, but the battalion lost 42 killed, 206 wounded, and 1 missing.
George was killed at the age of 25. After the war, he was buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot VII, Row F, Grave 18.
Sources 3
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5th Canadian Infantry Brigade. (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG9-III-D-3, 4886, T-10682, 253). https://library-archives.canada.ca Sources used |
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Personnel Records of the First World War (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC) RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3852 - 22). https://library-archives.canada.ca/ Sources used |
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War diaries: 26th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa (LAC), RG9-III-D-3, Volume number: 4934, Microfilm reel number: T-10737 - T-10738, File number: 421). https://library-archives.canada.ca/eng Sources used |
More information 4
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/5913348 |
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/462989 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=2d27a75c-1b5b-4457-8a58-dd1d5f911ed8 |
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The Canadian Virtual War Memorial https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/462989?George%20Gritty |