Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
George Henry James Down Fuller was born on 12th January 1897 in Dorking, Surrey to carpenter Albert and Myra Alma (née Down). George was baptised on 17th March 1897 at St.Paul’s Church in Dorking. At the time of the baptism, the family were living at 38 Falkland Road, with Albert working as a carpenter.
George had four siblings: Ethel Mabel born in 1898; Clifford Albert born in 1899, both in Chertsey; Eliza Dorothy born in 1902 in Isfield, Sussex, and Ivy Alma born in 1905 in Horsham, Sussex.
By the time of the 1901 Census, George’s family lived at Gold Harbour in Brede, Sussex. His father Albert was working as an estate carpenter and Myra, his mother was looking after his siblings, Ethel and Clifford. (Eliza and Ivy were born later).
At the time of the census George himself, was staying with his maternal grandparents Henry and Eliza Down at Brickyard Cottages, Isfield.
George’s mother died in 1906 and his father in 1907. George was just ten years old when he was orphaned. His siblings ranged in age at the time from two to nine years old.
The 1911 census records George and his sister Eliza as living with their maternal grandparents at Manor Farm Cottages, Crawley, Sussex – with George working as a farm cow boy. Henry was working as a farm foreman and Eliza was at home. The household further comprised of their children – George Alexander Down and Mabel Down, and Albert Steer, a boarder.
George enlisted into the 14th (Service) Battalion, the Hampshire Regiment, in Horsham, Sussex as a Private. At the time of his enlistment George was living in Fairfield, Whitfield in Gloucestershire.
George died in action in Mailly Wood, Somme, France on 3rd September 1916 during an attack on enemy trenches. His body was never found and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France on Pier and Face 7C and 7B.
He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
Following his death, George’s siblings – Clifford, Ethel, Eliza and Ivy – received £1, 2s and 6d and a further £5, 10s in Soldier’s Effects.
Family History
George’s father, Albert, was born in 1873 in Great Bookham, Surrey to estate carpenter John Fuller, born in Dorking, and Mary Fuller, born in Cranleigh, Surrey.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at Prospect Lodge, Polesden Lacey in Great Bookham. John was working as an estate carpenter and Mary was looking after their eleven children. In 1891, the family were living at the same address, and Albert had joined his father, working as a carpenter.
George’s mother, Myra Alma Down, was born in 1878 in West Lambrook, Kingsbury Episcopy, Somerset to Henry James Down and Eliza Down, both born in the same village. They were married in 1865.
At the time of the 1881 Census, the family were still living at West Lambrook. Henry was working as an agricultural labourer and Eliza was a glover. The household further comprised of their 10 children and Eliza’s mother, Elizabeth Talbot, also a glover. By 1891, the family were living in South Petherton, Somerset.
Albert Fuller and Myra Alma Down were married in 1896 Dorking.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Albert Fuller and Myra Alma Fuller (née Down) | |
| Enlisted | Horsham, West Sussex | |
| Regiment | 14th (Service) Battalion. Hampshire Regiment | |
| Number | 19510 | |
| Date of Death | 3rd September 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Somme, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 19 | |
| Memorial | Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France |
