Lt George DEAKIN, MC, RE
(1896 - 1943)
George DEAKIN, MC was the son of William Robert DEAKIN and Mary Jane HARTLEY. George was born in Wigan, Lancashire, on 8th July 1896[1].
George was firstly educated at New College, Harrogate, Yorkshire. On 16th September 1909, at the age of 13, he started at Cheltenham Grammar School (now Pate's Grammar School). George became School Captain, captain of the football team, held the Vassar-Smith Sports Challenge Cup and also participated in cricket and water polo before leaving school on 4th April 1915.
Photo from The Patesian[5] of 1st XI Cheltenham Grammar School Cricket Team 1914, George third from left in the front row:
Back row left to right:
L.L.H. Clark, H.W. Pearson, H.A. Bendall, Mr Broad (staff), G.P. Tate, W.J. Harding
Front row: C.M. Caudle, E.A. Barnard, G. Deakin, W.B. Boone (Capt), A.W. Facer, C.J. Price, H.C. Sharpe
© Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham
Photo from The Patesian[5] of 1st XV Cheltenham Grammar School Rugby Team 1914-1915, George seated in the middle:
Back row left to right:
W.J. Harding, H.S. Woodman, H.W. Gay, H.C. Sharpe, J.A. Gray, G.P. Tate, R. Morley, A.J. Lewis
Middle row: C.J. Price, M.G. Tate, A.W. Facer, G. Deakin (Capt), Mr. E.F. Chaney (staff), F.F. Leach, R.W. Pratt
Front row: W.W. Yiend and H.A. Bendall
© Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham
George entered the army as a voluntary soldier attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst before joining the Royal Engineers and fighting in the First World War. He was awarded the Military Cross (MC)[2] in 1917 (gazetted 17th September 1917) for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of buried cable communications. He displayed the greatest energy and courage in supervising the work of leading in cables, frequently under heavy shell fire from the enemy's guns, and in remaining behind after digging parties had been withdrawn owing to hostile fire, in order to conceal all traces of the cable trench from the enemy. His fearless personal reconnaissances and fine example of determination to complete his work on all occasions greatly inspired his men and kept communications open during the operations."
On 24th March 1918, Lieut. George Deakin MC was wounded. He received a gunshot wound in the left thigh and was transferred to the American Red Cross Hospital, London.
George was awarded Bar to the MC in 1918 (gazetted 16th September 1918) for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer led two companies into the attack, and through his gallantry and leadership they were able to drive the enemy back, and hold on for the whole day. He continued to do good work until severely wounded on the third day."
George married Edith Victoria Winifred COMBE (known as Winsome) in Northleach, Gloucestershire in 1920[3].
In 1923, George was appointed a director of W.R. Deakin Ltd. George and Winsome were living at Stone House, Whittington near Worcester, Worcestershire.
George and his younger brother James Stanley Deakin took over the Deakin jam manufacturing business at the end of 1936 and the business traded under the name of G. & J.S. Deakin Limited.
George and Winsome had one son, George Anthony Hartley DEAKIN, born Pershore, Worcestershire in 1937. It is likely that at that time George and Winsome were living at Pensham Hill just outside Pershore.
In 1938 George was elected as a Member of the Pigs Marketing Board, later becoming their Chairman and Vice President of the National Farmers' Union.
By 1940, George, Winsome and son George had moved to Caulin Court, Ladywood, Droitwich.
On 9th October 1943, George tragically died in a car accident at the age of 47. The Deakin Memorial Trust (now The Deakin and Combe Memorial Trust) was set up in George Deakin's memory to support students studying agriculture.
His wife, Winsome, died in 1985.
[1]: Source: Register of Births registered in July, August, September in 1896 in Wigan, Vol 8c page 64.
[2]: The Military Cross, created in 1914 for commissioned officers is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers of the British Armed Forces.
[3]: Source: Register of Marriages registered in July, August, September in 1920 in Northleach, Vol 6a page 1169.