George Howard Drinkwater was the second child of Robert John Drinkwater and Harriet Starling who married on 20 March 1894 at the parish church of Cley-next-the-Sea in Norfolk. Aged 21, Robert was a groom, and like his wife, lived in Cley-next-the-Sea. Harriet’s first child was a son, John, and George was born on 7 October 1897.  On 21 November George was taken for baptism to the parish church where his parents had married. 

In 1901, when the census was taken, the family was living at Newgate Green, Cley-next-the-Sea. Robert was still earning his living as a groom and George had a baby sister and well as his brother John. George attended the Council School in Cley-next-the Sea.

Ten years later, when the next census return was made, the family had moved to Myths Yard and Robert was working as a chimney sweep. Elder son John had left school and was working as a postman, whilst 13 year old George and his younger sister, Maud, were both still at school. 

On 16 November 1915, shortly after his 18th birthday, George went to Norwich to enlist in the army. We know from his service records that he was 5’6” tall, with a 36” chest. He was passed fit to serve in the Territorial Force and was issued with service number 7936 and did his initial training with 3rd/4th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment at Halton Park.

A few days after his 19th birthday, George embarked at Folkestone for overseas service disembarking at Boulogne on 17 October 1916. From Boulogne, George was sent to 37 Infantry Base Depot at Etaples to continue his training until he was posted to a unit on the Western Front.

On 29 November he was posted to 13th (Service) Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment with service number 28368 and joined his unit in the field on 2 December near Thievres. This was one of the Hull 'Pals' battalions, known as 'T’others'. The men moved into Brigade Reserve at Bayencourt on 21 December before going into the trenches six days later. Young George must have felt a long way from home as he faced his first experience on the front line.

In the early months of 1917, the battalion took part in Operations on the Ancre and the capture of Oppy Wood in May.

By the middle of July the battalion was in front line trenches East of Vimy, being relieved on 21 July and taking over Canada Trench in support until the early hours of 30 July. The battalion war diary for that date records: ‘Marched to Transport Lines & had breakfast there and thence to Winnipeg Camp, Mont St Eloy, arriving there at 8.0am. Had 5 men killed and 15 wounded at Peggy Dump coming out.’

One of those men killed at Peggy Dump was 19 year old Private George Howard Drinkwater. His service records show that he was buried at Aux Reitz Military Cemetery, SW of Neuville St Vaaste 3¾ miles North of Arras. Commonwealth War Graves Commission records dated 1921 have amended this to La Targette British Cemetery, Neuville-St. Vaast.

Personal possessions described as ‘Letter, Brooch in box’ were sent to his mother in November 1917. George’s death was announced in the Norfolk Chronicle and the Downham Market Gazette.

For his service to his country, George earned the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His accrued pay and War Gratuity payment of £7-10s were sent to his father in due course. George is also remembered on the Memorial Screen at St Margaret’s Church, Cley-next-the-Sea.

By the time the census was taken in 1921, George’s parents were living at Wright Yard, Cley-next-the-Sea.