George's Story.
EARLY LIFE
George Duffield was born in Bollington on 19 December 1892, the son of Lizzie (née Press) and Joseph Duffield, a bleach works labourer. In 1901, seven-year-old George was living at Foundry Street, Bollington with his parents and siblings Tom (9), Polly (5) and Jane Ann (Janet, 2).
Ten years later the family was still living in Foundry Street, Bollington and included more children: Rachael (21), Gladys (4) and Edwin (1½). By this time, George had left school and was working as a cotton doffer. The family later moved to 8 Waters Green, Macclesfield. Prior to his enlistment George was employed as a cotton doubler at the Clarence Mill, Bollington, and he was an active member of Macclesfield St Peter’s Church Young Men’s Bible Class and their football club.
WW1 SERVICE
George joined the Army on 19th November 1915. His army medical record shows him to have been a man of five feet four inches tall weighed 133lbs with a chest measurement of 36 inches. George was sent for training at the end of January 1916 and on 4 July 1916 he was drafted overseas. He received a gun shot wound to his left knee on 14 October and was sent to hospital in Etaples for treatment, returning to his battalion on 4 November 1916.
By a cruel coincidence, George was killed in action on 19 November 1916, exactly one year to the day after he enlisted.
George's death was reported in the Macclesfield Times on 8 December 1916:
A HAPPY AND WILLING LAD - KILLED BY A WHIZZ-BANG
Mr and Mrs Joseph Duffield, 8 Waters Green , Macclesfield, have received news of the death in action of their son, Private George Duffield, of the Cheshire Regt. The sad intelligence was contained in letters from the Chaplain, the Sergeant and a comrade....
The following letter was written by H C Ratcliffe, a comrade: "It is with the deepest regret that I write to you of the death in action of your son. He was killed instantly by a sheel just as we were leaving the trenches for a rest. He suffered no pain, and I trust this will be of comfort to you. He was a splendid boy. I had not known him very long, having recently joined the battalion, but he was one of thos happy willing lads who made friends with everyone and we all feel his loss very much indeed. He died a soldier's death, fighting for his riends and home, and you can have no prouder boast than to say he was your son. He will be buried by his comrades with military honours in a cemetery behind the line. A cross will be erected to his memory. Please accept our deepest sympathy."
The late Private Duffield was born at Bollington 23 years ago. He was educated at the Bollington Church Schools under Mr Oliver Kenyon, and attended the Primitive Methodist Chapel. His parents came to reside in Macclesfield seven years ago, and Private Duffield became connected with St peter's Church. He was a member of the Young Men's Bible Class and the St Peter's Football Club. Prior to enlistment the deceased was employed as a doubler at the Clarence Mill, Bollington....
COMMEMORATION
Private George Duffield is buried in Grave Ref. II. B. 8. at Tancrez Farm Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium.
Locally, George Duffield is commemorated on the Macclesfield Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church and St Peter’s Church war memorials (his name is incorrectly engraved as "C. Duffield" on the Park Green memorial). He is also commemorated on the the Clarence Mill, Bollington roll of honour.
NOTES
Brother of Thomas Duffield, who died in Mesopotamia in January 1917.
The Cheshire Roll of Honour would like to thank H.A.G Carlisle for this information on George.
Additional research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.