SPRATTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

George was born in January 1891 in Spratton, the son of Thomas Manning from Spratton, a farm labourer, and his wife, Elizabeth.  When he left school George found a job as an agricultural labourer.  In 1911 his parents had died and he was living in a cottage in Manor road with his two elder brothers Charles and Francis (known as Frank). 

George volunteered in the Northamptonshire Regiment in January 1915 aged 24 and in July was posted to Gallipoli and fought at the mismanaged Suvla Bay campaign and in subsequent engagements. After the evacuation of the Peninsula he served in Egypt for a time and, when transferred to Palestine, took part in the three battles of Gaza and in the capture of Tripoli.

He was mentioned in despatches on 5 March 1919 by General Sir E H Allenby and demobilised in July 1919. George received the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

George married Eva May Henson in October 1919 and died in April 1981. He is buried in the new parish cemetery in Spratton together with his wife.