George Holborn (Holburn) (1898-1960)
From Sunderland, served with 15th Battalion DLI, won DCM four days before the Armistice.
George Holborn (also known as Holburn), the son of George Henry and Elizabeth Holburn, was born in the Pallion area of Sunderland in 1898. He had six brothers and four sisters and, apart from his military service, appears to have lived all his life in Sunderland. He enlisted in the 12th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and was later transferred to the 15th Battalion where he rose to the rank of sergeant.
During his service in France he won the Military Medal and on 7 November 1918, during the ‘100 Days Offensive’, he won the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). After demobilisation he married Annie Nicholson in 1919 and they had four daughters.
During WWII George joined the Royal Artillery and rose to the rank of regimental sergeant-major.
His award of the DCM was gazetted on 10 January 1920 and the citation reads:
“On the 7th November, 1918, during the attack on Limont Fontaine, he displayed great gallantry and good leadership. When all the officers of his company had become casualties he re-organised his men and led them forward. When the company on his left were counter-attacked by the enemy he rendered prompt assistance”.
Civil Parish: Sunderland
Birth date: 1898
Death date: 1960
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 5 Grace Street, North Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland (1901 census)
9 Dove Street, Pallion, Sunderland (1911 census)
Family: Father: George Henry Holburn
Mother: Elizabeth Holburn (nee Cawthorn)
Siblings: Elizabeth, Ernest, Isabella, Amy, John, Henry, William, George, Robert, & Ethel
Wife: Annie Holborn (nee Nicholson)
Children: Elizabeth C, Mary N, Hilda & Audrey
Military service:
12th & 15th Battalions Durham Light Infantry
Regimental numbers: 32160 & 4442836
Sergeant
Medal(s): Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Gender: Male
Contributed by John Edwards
