Introduction
George William Rendell is one of the village’s valiant war dead of 1914-18 and is commemorated on the memorial in the church. He was the tenth man from the village to lose his life in the war.
Childhood
George was born on 1 May 1898 at Hardington Moor, the third of eleven children born to James and Louisa Rendell.[1] His father was a newsagent, while his mother was the daughter of James Newbury, who served as a constable in the Metropolitan Police.
James and Louisa married on 26 March 1894 at West Coker, and moved to Hardington Moor about two years later.[2] They lived in a four-room house rented from Susan Guppy of West Coker.[3] By 1921, they lived at North Lane House.[4]
George probably attended Hardington School from the age of 5 to the age of 12. After leaving school, he worked for a baker.[5]
First World War
George enlisted in the army on 1 January 1917 and transferred to the Royal Marines four days later.[6] He joined the 1st Battalion of the Royal Marine Light Infantry and was sent to France on 29 May 1917.[7] His service number was CH/1993/S.
Tragically, he was killed in action on 6 November 1917 at the age of 19.[8] His name is inscribed on the Tyne Cot Memorial.[9]
References
[1] Western Gazette, 6 May 1898, p.8.
[2] West Coker marriage registers; voters’ lists.
[3] RG13, piece 2297, folio 47, page 19; RG14, piece 14381; Guardian valuations.
[4] RG15, piece 11308.
[5] Royal Naval Division Casualties of The Great War, 1914-1924
[6] ADM 159/146/1993.
[7] Royal Naval Division Casualties of The Great War, 1914-1924.
[8] Royal Naval Division Casualties of The Great War, 1914-1924.
[9] Find a Grave.