Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
George Sydney James Whife was born on 12th December 1894 in Deptford, London to marine engineer John Charles and Sarah Jane (nee Hind). He was baptised on 13th January 1895 at St Luke’s church in Deptford. At the time of the baptism, the family lived at 61 Gosterwood Street, Deptford and John was working as a machinist.
George’s father John was born in the 3rd quarter of 1858 in Greenwich, London to carman and labourer Samuel, born about 1831 in Braintree, Essex and Charlotte A., born about 1830 in Essex. His mother Sarah was born in the 4th quarter of 1868 in Leeds, Yorkshire to shoemaker Charles, born about 1846 in Nottinghamshire, and Hannah Maria, born about 1851 in Lincolnshire. John married Sarah on 16th April 1892 at St Luke’s church in Peckham, London. At the time of the marriage, the couple lived at 10 Shenley Road, Peckham and John was working as a marine engineer.
George had five siblings: Evelyn Edith Mary born in the 2nd quarter of 1893, John Leonard Charles born in the 1st quarter of 1899, Archibald Edward Thomas born on 18th September 1900, Robert Gabriel born in the 1st quarter of 1902 and Florence Annie Elizabeth born in the 2nd quarter of 1905, all in Deptford, London.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 92 Etta Street in Deptford. John was working as a marine engineer and Sarah was at home with their children: Evelyn, John, George and Archibald. The household further comprised of a boarder, marine engineer, Alfred Watts.
On 3rd October 1901, John filed petition for a dissolution of his marriage with Sarah.
According to Mr Whife, from approximately March 1900 up to the date of the petition, Sarah Jane was frequently committing adultery with labourer Thomas Watts. Mr Whife sought also the custody of his four children. Thomas was a son of the widowed Alfred Watts, who was a boarder of the Whife’s at 92 Etta Street.
The petition was later abandoned.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 8 Bawtree Road, New Cross. John was working as a machine driller and Sarah was a school cleaner. Of their children Evelyn was a general domestic servant, George was a credit draper traveller and John, Archibald, Robert and Florence were at school. The accommodation had four rooms.
George Whife enlisted in Camberwell, London into the 1st/15th (County of London) Battalion (the Prince of Wales´Own Civil Service Rifles). He was a Private with regimental numbers 6456 and 533241.
George disembarked on 23rd July 1916 to France.
He was killed in an action on or since the 7th of October 1916 in France, and is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial in France on Pier and Face 13C.
George Whife was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
George left to his brother Archibald £1, 17s and 5d on 11th January 1918 and the further £3 on 6th December 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
The Grave Registration Report reads that George´s parents lived at 10 Riverside, Pixholm (Pixham) in Dorking.
The 1919 Surrey, England, Electoral Register reads that John and Sarah lived at 10 Moleside in Dorking.
John died in 1926 in Epsom, Surrey. He was 68 years old. Sarah died in 1934 in Surrey Mid Eastern. She was 66 years old.
George’s brother, Archibald, named his son after his fallen brother: George. George was born in the 3rd quarter of 1924 in Wandsworth, London. George was part of the 15th Battalion, the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). He was killed on 26th June 1944 in Italy. He is buried at the Orvieto War Cemetery. He was 20 years old. His headstone bears the inscription: ´Forgive us as we forgive them, We have forgiven them, We know you did, George´.
| Born | Deptford, London | |
| Son of | John Charles Whife and Sarah Jane Whife (nee Hind) | |
| Regiment | 1st/15th County of London Battalion. Prince of Wales Own Civil Service Rifles | |
| Number | 533241 | |
| Date of Death | 7th October 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Somme, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 21 | |
| Memorial | Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France |
