Pte 235305 George Edward Hine

• Age: 30
• From: Bethnal Green
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Monday 24th December 1917
• Commemorated at: Bailleul Cc Ext
  Panel Ref: III.E.25

George Edward was born in Bethnal Green on the 01st April 1887 the third of seven children born to George Frederick Hine and his wife Alice Eleanor (nee James). They had married in 1883, George Frederick was originally from Kennington, London and Eleanor was born in Aldershot.
 
George Edward was baptised in St John's Church in Bethnal Green on 26th April 1887. His parents were then living at 8 Tapp Street (The Lion Pub) his father is shown as a licensed victualler. 

His siblings were: Lionel, Ruby, John, Eleanor, Olive and Margaret.

The 1891 Census shows the family living at the Northampton Arms, Northampton Street, Bethnal Green, his father, aged 44 and born in Middlesex is shown as the keeper of the Public House. This establishment held a music license and was on a list of Music Halls. His father ran the pub until 1899. His mother Alice E. is 30 years of age and was born in Aldershot. George is 4 years of age and lives with his parents and four siblings who are listed as; Lionel J. aged 6, Ruby E. aged 5, Eliza K. aged 2 and John J. aged 1. There are also three servants declared one of whom Matilda Bending, aged 21 was described as a barmaid.  

The 1901 Census shows that the family had moved as they were now living at The Falcon Pub, 124 High Street, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. George's father, now 54 runs the pub. His mother is now aged 40. George is listed as being 13 years of age and lives with his parents and five siblings, who are listed as; Lionel Joseph aged 16 and an electrical engineering apprentice, Ruby E. is 15 and her occupation is shown as "civil service cottage", Eliza Kate is 12, Olive aged 8 and Margarette is 5. There are also six servants listed.    

By 1911 the family are still living at The Falcon. His father is now 64 and his mother is 50 and assisting in the business. His parents advise that they have been married for 27 years and have had seven children, six of whom have survived. John J. who was aged 1 on the 1891 Census is not shown on later records and therefore, must be the child who sadly died Those children listed at home are; Lionel Joseph, Eleanor Kate, Olive and Margaret. Also declared are a barmaid and a servant.     

George Edward now aged 24 is shown as single and working as a barman in a hotel at 704 Fulham Road, Fulham (Durrell Arms). 

His father died in November 1912. Thereafter, his mother Eleanor is shown as licensee from 1914 onwards. 

George Edward was initiated into the James Terry Lodge, part of the Masonic Lodge on the 13th July 1916. His occupation is shown as a manager. Further details suggest he was the Manager at Watham Cross in 1916.

George Edward enlisted in London joining the Yorkshire Regiment as Private 5329. The war gratuity tells us he had attested in the month from 25 August 1916. Service records for  5321, 5325, 5328 survive. It appears these were older (30+), married Derby Scheme recruits posted to the 2/5th Yorkshire Regiment for Home Service on or around the 08th September 1916.  At the beginning of September they were called up to the Royal Fusiliers Depot at Hounslow and from there posted on to the 2/5th Yorkshire. Many thanks to the Great War Forum for their help with this.

He was subsequently transferred to the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 235305 and died of wounds on the 24th December 1917, aged 30.

He now rests at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Bailleul was occupied on 14 October 1914 by the 19th Brigade and the 4th Division. It became an important railhead, air depot and hospital centre, with the 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 11th, 53rd, 1st Canadian and 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Stations quartered in it for considerable periods. It was a Corps headquarters until July 1917, when it was severely bombed and shelled, and after the Battle of Bailleul (13-15 April 1918), it fell into German hands and was not retaken until 30 August 1918.

The earliest Commonwealth burials at Bailleul were made at the east end of the communal cemetery and in April 1915, when the space available had been filled, the extension was opened on the east side of the cemetery. The extension was used until April 1918, and again in September, and after the Armistice graves were brought in from the neighbouring battlefields.

BAILLEUL COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION contains 4,403 Commonwealth burials of the First World War; 11 of the graves made in April 1918 were destroyed by shell fire and are represented by special memorials. There are also 17 British burials of the Second World War (all 1940) and 154 German burials from both wars (10 of which are Second World War).

During the Second World War the cemetery suffered major bomb damage that necessitated the replacement of nearly 200 headstones after the war.

Both the Commonwealth plot in the communal cemetery and the extension were designed by Sir Herbert Baker.

Soldiers effects and pension to his mother Alice E. She also received Probate in 1918. 

George Edward is commemorated on page 125 of the Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 book.  

We currently have no further information on George Edward Hine. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.