ONIONS, George Frederick

George Onions was an early volunteer, suffered several injuries and fever in the course of four years of active service and was finally killed in action in the Advance to Victory. He lived at King William Street and was a glass cutter for Messrs James Hambrey and Sons. He volunteered on the 14th August 1914 for the Worcesters and was transferred to the 1st Battalion of the Berkshires. He served first at Gallipoli but was struck by enteric fever and sent home. He then fought on the Western Front where he was wounded twice and sent home on each occasion. By February he was in France again before experiencing the retreats of March and April. However, by August the recovery had started and the Advance to Victory had been made possible. On its first day the Berkshires took part in a major attack near Bucqoy north of the River Somme and set off the great push forward. Casualties were taken and among them was Lance Corporal George Onions. He was 24 years of age and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois and Amblecote Memorials.