World War 1
Search the known records to date of those lost from the wider Alnwick area in World War 1
Generally showing where they are commemorated, when they died and some basic facts about each person. There are gaps, however, so if you can fill in any missing details do please contact us.
George William Geggie
Forename(s):
George William
Surname:
Geggie
Initial(s):
G W
Service Number:
2362
Rank:
Private
Regiment:
Northumberland Fusiliers, 1/7th Battalion Territorial Force
Died:
26/04/1915
Aged:
23
Buried:
Menin Gate Memorial, Ieper
Service History:
Enlisted at Alnwick, Northumberland.
Geggie was one of the first five men from Amble to be killed in action or missing, presumed dead. The others were Laurence Fealey; Alexander MacKay; Robert Stephen Mossman; & William Nairn.
A military report describes the background & ensuing hostilities of April 1915 in which they lost their lives:
'The Battalion received orders to support an attack to be made by the 4th & 6th Battalions Northumberland Fusiliers, on the village of St. Julien.
As soon as the Battalion moved off, it came under very heavy artillery fire, & on reaching the St. Julien - Wieltje road also came under heavy machine gun fire & rifle fire. The Battalion moved up into the firing line as reinforcements, the men advancing at the double in extended order. Advances were made by rushes, but no good fire positions could be obtained, as it was seen that a trench to our front was occupied by the Seaforth Highlanders. The Battalion suffered heavy casualties.'
(Source: 'In Memory of the Fallen: Amble & surrounding area'; Compiled by Jane Dargue, Jim Donnelly & Helen Lewis; 2014; p. 9)
Background:
Son of George & Joanna Geggie, of the Blue Bell Hotel, Amble, Northumberland.
Local Memorial:
Amble War Memorial