Lieutenant George Cecil Kearsley MM born 6 August 1891 in Park Street, Madeley Shropshire, England. Son of Mrs. Laura E. (Trevor) Kearsley, of Madeley, Salop, England, and the late Mr. W. H. Kearsley. A farm labourer. Sister Miss Edith M. Kearsley, 87 Park Street, Madeley, Shropshire, England.
Attestation
George Cecil Kearsley 115303 attested 18 January 1915 in Regina, Saskatchewan with the 10th Overseas C.M.R., CEF. At this time, George stood 5′ 6″ tall, with ruddy complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair, with scar in left knee, and axe cut in left foot. He was 23 years old at this time, and assigned $20 of his pay to his sister.
Admitted for mild attack of Influenza, 4 February 1916, Portage-la-Prairie. Discharged 7 February 1916.
England
Kearsley arrived in England 7 May 1916 per SS OLYMPIC. At this time, Corporal George Cecil Kearsley appointed Sergeant, Bramshott, 7 May 1916. Later, Sergeant George Cecil Kearsley proceeded On Command to Aldershot training course, 10 June 1916. Then, S.o.S. on transfer to 75th Battalion, 20 June 1916.
75th Battalion
Organized in June 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel S. G. Beckett. Firstly, mobilized at Toronto and recruited in Toronto, Hamilton and London. Secondly, draft of 5 officers and 250 other ranks sent to England on 1 October 1915. Thirdly, embarked from Halifax 1 April 1916 aboard EMPRESS OF BRITAIN and disembarked England on 9 April 1916 with a strength of 36 officers, 1114 other ranks. Finally, arrived in France 12 August 1916 with the 4th Canadian Division, 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade. Additionally, reinforced by 12th Canadian Reserve Battalion and returned to England 3 May 1919. Furthermore, disembarked in Canada 6 June 1919, and demobilized 8 June 1919 when Colours deposited in Toronto City Hall. Bugle and brass bands (“Colonel Bogey”). Perpetuated by The Toronto Scottish Regiment.
Reduced in rank to Lance-Sergeant 6 August 1916. Further, Lance-Sergeant George Cecil Kearsley reduced in rank and embarked for France from Bramshott, 10 August 1916.
Private George Cecil Kearsley admitted No.12 Canadian Field Ambulance (bronchitis), 3 September 1916, and then later discharged to duty, 9 September 1916.
Confirmed as Corporal in the field, 8 October 1916. Then, Corporal George Cecil Kearsley confirmed as Lance-Sergeant in the field, 1 December 1916, and granted 10 days leave of absence, 7 January 1917.
Lt Col Samuel Gustavus Beckett
Death of Lt Col Samuel Gustavus Beckett, 1 March 1917. Firstly, the battalion participated in an infantry attack at 5:15 AM. Beckett, who, on the advance, had taken up a position in the front line trench, the better to watch events, seeing the attack break down on the right and men returning, at once mounted the parapet, which was swept with heavy fire, and advancing boldly, endeavored by his example and command to check the retirement. He had proceeded only some forty yards when he fell. Finally, his death instantaneous – a rifle of M.G. bullet having entered the left breast, just over the heart. Buried at Villers-au-Bois Cemetery on 4 March 1917.
Presumably for the actions of 1 March 1917, Lance-Sergeant George Cecil Kearsley awarded the Military Medal for Bravery in the field, 8 March 1917. Then, Lance-Sergeant George Cecil Kearsley promoted Sergeant, 17 March 1917, and later Sergeant George Cecil Kearsley granted Commission, 13 May 1917.
Battle of Canal du Nord
Casualties for the whole operation and the 75th Battalion included Captain M A Neelon, Captain A B Duncan, Lieutenant George Cecil Kearsley MM, Lt Rene Darche LaFond, Lt W H Hall, Lt J C Watson, Lt W J O’Brien, Lt F A Warden. Furthermore, twelve other officers wounded with 85 killed and missing, 250 wounded among the Other Ranks. It was a very severe blow to the Battalion, particularly the losses of the Officers. With the losses of so many officers, at 5 AM on 1 October 1918, the battalion came under control of the O.C. of the 54th Battalion.
Lieutenant George Cecil Kearsley MM died 30 September 1918 and buried at Canada Cemetery, Tilloz-lez-Cambrai.
Canada Cemetery
The village of Tilloy captured by the Canadian Corps at the beginning of October 1918 in the face of strong opposition, and the cemetery made by their burial officer on 13 October 1918. In addition, Canada Cemetery contains 265 Great War burials, 25 of them unidentified, and most of the burials are Canadian. Also buried in the cemetery are eight airmen of the Second World War.
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