Thank you to the Friends of St. Margaret for allowing us to reproduce their research. Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for additional research.
George Edward Long was born in the 2nd quarter of 1882 in Blenheim, Oxfordshire to gamekeeper Edward and Elizabeth Long (nee Key). He was baptised on 28th May 1882 in Bladon, Oxfordshire. At the time of the baptism the family lived in Blenheim and Edward was working as a gamekeeper.
George’s father Edward Long was born in the 3rd quarter of 1857 in Stonefield, Oxfordshire to gamekeeper George, born about 1821 in Coombe, Oxfordshire and Charlotte, born about 1832, in Frilford, Bedfordshire. George’s mother Elizabeth was born in the 1st quarter of 1852 in Warwick, Warwickshire to hay tier Richard, born about 1822 in Warwick and Catherine, born about 1820 in Warwickshire. Edward married Elizabeth on 10th April 1879 in Bladon. At the time of the marriage the couple lived in Bladon and Edward was working as a gamekeeper. At the time of the 1881 Census, the couple lived in High Lodge, Blenheim Park, Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Edward was working as a game keeper and Elizabeth was at home.
George had one sister: Alice May born about 1886 in Merrow, Surrey.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Merrow Downs, Keepers Cottage, Trodds Lane, Merrow. Edward was a head gamekeeper and Elizabeth was looking after their children George and Alice.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at West Dean, Westbourne, Sussex. Edward was working as a gamekeeper and Elizabeth was at home. The household further comprised of their son George who was also working as a gamekeeper.
At the time of the 1911 Census, gardener George was a lodger of gardener Mark Jenkins at Vann Cottage, Ockley. He worked at Tiphams in Weare Street which was part of the Grenehurst estate in Capel. At the time of the 1911 Census, head gamekeeper Edward lived at Thornham Park, Eye, Suffolk. The household further comprised of his wife Elizabeth and daughter Alice. Elizabeth stated that she had given birth to two children of whom both were alive. The accommodation had six rooms.
George Long enlisted in Guildford into the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a Private with regimental number G/4500. At the time of his enlistment he lived at Tipholm, Surrey.
George Long disembarked on 1st June 1915 in France.
At the time of his death he was part of the 2nd Battalion of the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was a Lance Corporal.
CAPEL MAN’S DEATH
Intimation has been received of the death in France of Corpl. George Long, of the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment. He was killed in the trenches by a rifle grenade, and was buried in a little cemetery behind the firing line. Corpl. Long was late head gardener to Mr. J. H. Dennis, Grenehurst Park, Capel
George Long Death Notice 10th June 1916 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
George was killed on 26th May 1916 while on mining fatigue duties behind the lines. His company were on respite from the trenches behind the Somme.
He was buried at the Citadel New Military Cemetery, Fricourt, Somme, France. His cemetery reference number is: III.E.3. The headstone bears the inscription: ‘Ever Thoughts Rest In Peace.’ He is also commemorated on the St Margaret’s WW1 panel in Ockley, Surrey.
Ockley Parish Magazine records: “George was, for a time, a member of our choir and helped with the Choral Society and football team. He was a fine young fellow, respected and popular. Only a short time ago, he was home on leave.
He received the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
George’s father Edward received £10, 13s and 6d on 30th September 1916 and a further £6 and 10s on 11th November 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
George of 47 Gissing, Diss, Norfolk left to his sister Alice £191, 19s and 6d in Probate.
His parents lived at Milton Street, Westcott, Surrey.
| Born | Blenheim, Oxfordshire | |
| Lived | Ockley, Surrey | |
| Son of | Edward and Elizabeth Long | |
| Regiment | 2nd Battalion. The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | G/4500 | |
| Date of Death | 26th May 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Somme, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 34 | |
| Cemetery | Citadel New Military Cemetery, Fricourt, France |
