Trafford

Born during the September quarter 1889 in the Leeds R.D. - ref: 9b/521, the
son of George Steel & Elizabeth Darley (nee Stakes)

1891 Census - 27 Cliff Mount, Leeds, Yorkshire.   Son - aged: 1 - no place
of birth given.    Head of household - George Steel Darley - Married -
aged: 36 - occ: Reporter - born: Wakefield, Yorkshire.    Also - Elizabeth
Darley - Wife - aged: 36 - born: Wakefield, Yorkshire.   Plus 3 siblings
and 1 domestic servant.

1901 Census - 111 Ashley Lane, North, Prestwich, Manchester.     Son -
aged: 11 - born: Leeds, Yorkshire.    Head of household - George S. Darley
- Married - aged: 46 - occ: Sub Editor on Daily Newspaper - born:
Wakefield, Yorkshire.    Also - Elizabeth Darley - Wife - aged: 46 - born:
Wakefield, Yorkshire.   Plus 3 siblings.

1911 Census - 11 Ravenscar Place, Leeds, Yorkshire.    Visitor - aged: 21 -
occ: None - born: Leeds, Yorkshire.   Head of household - Harry Darley -
Married - aged: 35 - occ: Police Sergeant - born: Wakefield, Yorkshire.  
Also - Nellie Darley - Wife - aged: 24 - born: Barwick in Elmet, Yorkshire.
 Plus their 2 children and a boarder.

His parents were then residing at 22 Bankfield Avenue, Cadishead.    His
father - George Steel Darley - a Journalist, aged: 56.  His mother - also
aged: 56.  Plus his 3 siblings and a young adopted sibling.

Married - Elsie Shawcross during the September quarter 1916 in the Barton
upon Irwell R.D. - ref: 8c/1069.   Born in 1892, Elsie was the daughter of
Joseph & Emma Shawcross.

I am most grateful to Neil Drum & Pete Thomas for allowing me to use
verbatim the following extract from their superb 623 page book "A District
at War - Irlam & Cadishead's Part in the Great War", an incredibly detailed
and comprehensive book that is not only a credit to them, but a magnificent
memorial to the WW1 men of that district.

Served with the 2nd Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment, 25th Brigade,
8th Division.

George was born in Leeds, Yorkshire. His mother, Elizabeth, the widow of
the late George Steel Darley (journalist), lived in Bankfield Avenue,
Cadishead.   He married Elsie S. Shawcross in September 1916. Before
enlisting George worked as an insurance clerk for the Refuge Assurance
Company and resided in Stretford.

He enlisted at Manchester into the 6th Battalion, Manchester Regiment as
Private 3336, and was later allocated a new number, 43614. He later
transferred to the East Lancashire Regiment. Whilst serving in the Army he
married Elsie.   Whilst George was on active service, Elsie moved back to
her parents house on Vicarage Road, Irlam.

He was killed in action on Wednesday, 24th April 1918, aged 28, during the
German Spring Offensive when the Allied Fifth Army was driven back by
overwhelming numbers across the former Somme battlefields.   His family
received official notification on Monday, 13th May 1918.   He is
commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.   He is also listed on the
Refuge Assurance Company War Memorial at Wilmslow, Cheshire. Shortly before
his death he had been recommended for a commission.   Medal Entitlement:
Pair.   His wife remarried in June 1921, becoming Elsie Taylor of 39 Chapel
Road, Irlam.   Her second husband, David Taylor, was a local man who had
served in the Manchester Regiment.