George Prince (1893-1918)
Hetton man served in the Royal Field Artillery who died from influenza
George Prince was born in 1893 in Hetton, the son of William James Prince and Sarah Prince. The couple had a total of ten children, seven of whom were still alive in 1911. George spent his childhood in Hetton.
At the time of the 1911 census George was working at a colliery, along with his father and three of his brothers, as a pony putter. It is probable that George used this experience of working with pit ponies when he joined the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery (RFA). He enlisted in Houghton-le-Spring, a town close to George’s home town of Hetton-le-Hole.
George served as a gunner with the service number 263325 in the 3rd/4th Reserve Brigade. In 1918 George was at Salisbury Plain, where it was likely that he was taking part in training as part of the 57th Reserve Brigade RFA. It was whilst he was here that he contracted influenza and sadly died on 2 July 1918. He is buried in his home town of Hetton-le Hole and remembered on a statue in the town. At the time of his death George’s wife, Margaret, who he had married in 1916, was living in Hetton.
Two of George’s brothers also served in the First World War. His older brother, Richard, served with the Yorkshire Regiment and was awarded the Military Medal. George’s younger brother, Charles, served with the 16th Durham Light Infantry and was awarded the Silver War Badge, which was given to Service men who were discharged due to wounds or injuries sustained during the war.
Civil Parish: Hetton le Hole
Birth date: 1893
Death date: 2-Jul-1918
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 46 Caroline Street, Hetton (1901 Census)
22 Lyons Street, Hetton (1911 Census)
25 Back Market Street, Hetton-le-Hole (Wife’s address at time of death)
Employment: Miner – Pony putter (1911 Census)
Family: Parents: William James Prince, Sarah Prince
Siblings: Richard Prince, William Prince, Charles Prince, Eva Prince, Alfred Prince, Harry Prince
Wife: Margaret Prince nee Boal
Military service:
Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery
3rd/4th Reserve Brigade, 57th Reserve Brigade
Gunner
Service Number 263325
Memorial(s): Statue 1914-18 1939-45 Working Men’s Club, Hetton-le-Hole
Gender: Male
Contributed by Tess | Fiona Johnson