COMMEMORATED IN PERPETUITY BY THE

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

George Deacon Prior joined the 1st Brigade Grenadier Guards. George’s battalion was part of the 20th Infantry Brigade of 7th Division and were sent to serve in France, disembarking at Le Havre on 19 January 1915. George was wounded by machine gun fire to his head, legs and left hand on 28/9/1918 whilst fighting in the region of Graincourt-Lès-Havrincourt, Northern France. (Source: MH106/745. MH106/745 can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War Representative Medical Records of Servicemen from No. 34 Casualty Clearing Station)

Here is an account of the Grenadier Guards’ movements on the run up to George’s wounding:

Battles of the Hindenburg Line - Battle of the Canal Du Nord - 27/09/1918 – Allied Victory.

The Guards Division in VI Corps, Third Army, attacked the Canal du Nord opposite Flesquieres. 2nd Guards Brigade 1st Coldstream Guards, 1st Scots Guards and 3rd Grenadier Guards leading the attack at 05.20am, after overcoming very fierce German resistance by 07.00am they had established a bridgehead.

1st Scots Guards went on to clear the strong point at Sanders Keep as 1st Guards Brigade passed through, there was more resistance from the Hindenburg Support Line as they advanced a further 1000 yards (900m) towards Flesquieres as far as Orival Wood. 3rd Guards Brigade moved up in support of them during the morning. (Source: WW1 Actions and Troop Movements (ORBATS) for Grenadier Guards, 1st Battalion.)

It was at some stage during this offensive, or shortly afterwards that George was wounded. After George sustained his injuries, he was dispatched to a medical unit and transferred back to England. Unfortunately, George did not overcome the extent of his wounds, despite having a leg amputated, Gangrene took hold and he died at Cornelia Auxiliary Hospital, Poole, Dorset on the 22nd November 1918. George was aged 24.

According to the 1871 Census, the Prior family have lived in Steventon since at least 1816. George was born at Steventon Hill Cottage and was the eldest of 9 children; 3 brothers, 4 sisters - 1 sibling died before 1911. George’s father, Jesse was a cattle man on farm and moved from Steventon Hill into Butcher’s Farm, on the Green, which was (at that time) owned by Milton Manor, whom Jesse worked for. Jesse and Annie Prior lived there for many years, until it was purchased by the Bitmeads. Before the First World War, George worked as a Gardener, then in September 1912 he worked for Great Western Railways as an Engine cleaner. When war came in August 1914, George enlisted with the Grenadier Guards. When George got badly wounded in September 1918, he was returned to England for hospital treatment. George died in November 1918 of his wounds and is buried with a CWGC headstone at St Michael’s churchyard in Steventon. George’s niece, Mrs Hilda Jones (nee Prior) still lives in Steventon today.

Prior Crescent in Steventon is named after this soldier's family. Please click here for further information.