Firstly, it is worth pointing out the surprising frequency in which people’s names are altered from their original birth-names. From a research point of view, this can prove frustrating when tracking an individual.  George Stephen Robert Bright is a good example of this.

 

Born in Reading in 1891, we find George in the census data of the same year. He is the first child of George Bright (senior) and Elizabeth Ann Bright (formerly Atherton). At this point the family are resident in Reading at Edgehill Street. The only other piece of information we can extrapolate from this information is that George’s father works as a postman. Death records also show that this would be the same year that his father would also pass away at the age of 25 years.

 

As you will imagine, there has been somewhat of an upheaval for George in the following ten years and by 1901 his mother has remarried and they are located at a new address. His mother is now married to William Ford, aged some five years her junior, who is employed as a carter at a local biscuit factory. Their residence remains in Reading, but is now 254 Liverpool Road, Reading St Giles. Along with George, who now goes by his middle name, Stephen (note my comment above), there are three step brothers and sisters in the household, Arthur, aged 6, Mabel, aged 5 and Herbert, aged 2.

 

By the age of 21, Steven (name change, or at least a variation of it, for the second time) had moved out of the family home and was lodging with the Aldridge family, in Burghfield, a short way outside Reading. The exact address is given as Kings Hill. At this point he was working as a dairyman. The Aldridge’s son’s position is listed as a milk boy, which suggests a connection.

 

At some point between this census information and 1914, George would have moved to Great Torrington. In addition, at some point between leaving Great Torrington and enlisting, he moved with his family to South Wales where they settled [1].  Unfortunately, exact details are scant. We know from his service records that he enlisted in the Kings Royal Rifles Corps and carried the service number 11811; he was aligned to 2nd Battalion. We also know his enlistment place was Reading, so he had returned to his birth town to join the colours.  He was enlisted at the rank of Lance Corporal.

 

Again, details of the Lance Corporal’s death are vague. Reports received at the time indicate that he was fatally wounded and died on Christmas day 1914 in the France and Flanders theatre. Later official records would go on to state that he actually died a week later on New Year’s day 1915, most likely from injuries sustained on 25th December. Either way, the North Devon Journal goes on to report that Lance Corporal George Stephen Robert Bright was the first soldier from Great Torrington to have been killed in action in the Great War and must hold a high place in the town’s roll of honour. George is remembered at Le Touret Memorial in France.

 

[1] North Devon Journal. January 7th 1915. ‘Torrington’.