20th Battalion (Tyneside Scottish), Northumberland Fusiliers
Researching George Woolsey throws up a number of contradictions because according yo the Births, Marriages and Deaths Register (BMD) he was born in Brandon, Suffolk and his birth was registered in the second quarter of 1867.
The CWGC Register states that his parents were Harry (Henry) Woolsey and his wife Louisa (née Lingwood). They had two more children Harry (born 1869) and Kate Maria (1870).
George Woolsey was to join the Army on 20 October 1883 and on his attestation form he stated his age to be 18 years and two months, which would have equated to his birth being 1865.
His attestation form is included in the Royal Hospital Chelsea Pensioner Soldier Service Records covering 1760-1920 (in the National Archives with reference WO97/1278 – 4287).
Additional detail included in the above record are the facts that his occupation upon enlistment was as a sawyer and that he had served as a volunteer with the 4th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.
For reasons unknown he indicated a preference for the Northumberland Fusiliers and did join the 2nd Battalion. He achieved steady promotion and was appointed Serjeant on 16 March 1889.
His service was spent in the UK (which included Ireland) from 20 October 1883 to 10 September 1885 and the period 11 September 1885 to 13 May 1891 was spent in India.
He returned to the UK on 14 May 1891 and having served an initial eight years with the colours on 19 October 1891 he probably spent the period 20 October to 19 October 1895 in the Reserve.
His service was 12 years in all and he was discharged at Newcastle with the word ‘exemplary’ against his conduct.
On 24 June 1892 he married Louisa Perch at the Wesleyan Chapel in Holbeach, Lincolnshire and the marriage lasted until 10 March 1904, when Louisa was granted a divorce, on account of George’s adultery and desertion. There were no children.
George’s occupation was stated to be a prison officer.
No conclusive information has been unearthed as to George’s life between the time of his divorce and the start of the Great War.
It is assumed that, at the age of 47, he offered himself for re-enlistment and he rejoined the Northumberland Fusiliers, however no Service Record or Pension Record has survived.
According to the Register of Soldiers’ Effects, held at the National Army Museum, he was discharged on 17 September 1915, having served in the 14th Battalion. However, his entry in the CWGC Register states his service was with the 20th Battalion.
There is no record of a Medal Entitlement Index Card or Silver War Badge, which indicates there was no service abroad during the Great War and discharge was not down to illness or incapacity of some sort.
Another interesting piece in the Register of Soldiers’ Effects is that his gratuity was due to a widow called Edith and the CWGC Register records that she lived at 2 Bath Place, Ilfracombe, Devon.
The BMD records a George Woolsey marrying an Edith Wood in Lancashire in early 1915 but it is not certain if this does relate to the George and Edith in question.
Company Quartermaster Sergeant George Woolsey died on 10 August 1918 in Gloucester with his age stated to be 53 (when it was more likely 51).
How he came to be living in Gloucester is not known. He was buried in Gloucester Old Cemetery, where a CWGC headstone marks his grave. Whether his death was related to his military service is not known: sight of his death certificate may give a clue.
His name is not included in those on the Gloucester War Memorial.
Research by Graham Adams 10 August 2018