STOKES, George

George Stokes came from Blackheath and enlisted in the Worcesters. He was sent to the 4th Battalion who fought in early 1917 in the Battles of Arras. They moved to Flanders for the later stages of the Third Battle of Ypres and were in the front line for the Battle of Poelcappelle. It started at dawn on the 9th October in pouring rain. The advance of the battalion was brave and Private Frederick Dancox won the Victoria Cross for his bravery – one of only ten for the regiment in the whole of the war. There were many casualties and Private George Stokes was killed in action. He is buried at Cement House Cemetery (XV D 7) and is commemorated on the Blackheath and Halesowen Memorials.