Trafford

Born during the June quarter 1884 in the Sculcoates R.D. - ref: 9d/217, the
son of George & Caroline Vinton (nee Hargrave).

1891 Census - 7 Pearsons Terrace, Southcoates, Kingston Upon Hull.  Son -
aged: 7 - Scholar - born: Hull, Yorkshire.    Head of household - George
Vinton - Married - aged 27 - occ: Coal Labourer - born: Hull, Yorkshire.  
Also - Caroline Vinton - Wife - aged: 28 - born: Hull.    Plus 3 siblings.

1901 Census - 30 Hayes Road, Irlam, Cadishead.    Son - aged: 17 - occ:
Soap Works Labourer - born: Hull, Yorkshire.   Head of household - George
Vinton - Married - aged 38 - occ: Coal Trimmer - born: Hull, Yorkshire.  
Also - Caroline Vinton - Wife - aged: 38 - born: Hull.    Plus 6 siblings.

1911 Census - 2 Works Road, Cadishead.   Head - Married - aged: 26 - occ:
Shunter on the Ship Canal Railway - born: Hull, Yorkshire.   Also - Edith
Mary Vinton - Wife - aged: 25 - born: Flixton.    Plus a young son and
daughter.   His father and 4 of his siblings were residing at 27 Atherton
Lane, Cadishead at this time.  His mother was visiting the Schofield family
on census night.

Served in the 1st Brigade, 1st Division.

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.

Private George Vinton  was one of the few professional soldiers from the
area, having previously served in the Royal Munster Fusiliers for several
years. He had been discharged into the reserve before the start of the
First World War.

His parents, George and Caroline, were born in Hull in 1864 and 1863
respectively. They had six children: George, Eva, Charles, Caroline, Emily
and Selina. George, their eldest, was born in Hull in 1884. The family
moved from Hull to 30 Hayes Road, Cadishead, sometime before 1901. 

George married Edith Mary Beck and set up home at 39 Atherton Lane,
Cadishead. They had two children, George S. Vinton (born December 1912) and
Edith M. Vinton (born March 1915, sadly after George's death). George
initially worked as a labourer at the CWS Soap Works before joining the
Army for his first stint. Immediately before the war, George was employed,
like his father, as a coal trimmer at the Partington coaling basin,
Manchester Ship Canal. He was a well known rugby player for Cadishead Rugby
Football team, playing three-quarters, and he had also taken part in
several matches with the Broughton Rangers team. George was nicknamed Sugar
on account of his high energy levels. He is reputed to have carried a small
child on his back while training for the Rugby team. The Vinton family
attended St Mary's C of E Church, Cadishead.

As a reservist, George was recalled on the outbreak of war. He rejoined at
Manchester, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion of his old regiment, then
stationed at Malplaquet Barracks, Aldershot. The battalion sailed from
Southampton to France on 13th August on board the troopship, Dunvegan
Castle.

In what was probably his last letter home, George wrote: "Dear wife and
children, just a few lines to let you know I am getting on all right at
present. Dear wife you must excuse paper. I received your letter two weeks
ago. I was glad to hear from you. I am not allowed to tell you where I am.
All letters are sent by command by our officer but you can write to this
address. It will find me in France. Remember me to all at home and to say I
am glad to hear she has been very good to you. We are having very fine
weather out here and have plenty of work. Remember me to all the family. I
am sorry I cannot let you know about the place - not allowed, but will when
I return, if the Lord spares me".

George was killed two weeks later on 27th August 1914 during the famous
rearguard action at Etreux when his battalion held up the German advance
before being overwhelmed by nine German battalions. Despite the unequal
odds, the battalion held out for several hours, only surrendering when
their ammunition was practically exhausted and only a small number of men
remained unhurt. Their actions that day
secured the safe withdrawal of the rest of the Division and the men were
praised by the Germans for their bravery.

The battalion.s survivors, under German supervision, buried their comrades
on 28th August 1914. These men were then sent off to prisoner of war camps.
At first there was some confusion over the casualties and his wife only
received official notification of his death in May 1915: "Infantry Records,
Cork Station, May 7th 1915, Madam,  It is my painful duty to inform you
that a report has been received from the War Office notifying the death of
No.7806 Private G. Vinton, 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers, which
occurred on the 27th of August, 1914, and I am to express to you the
sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss. The cause of death
was killed in action.  I am, Madam, Your obedient servant, F. G. Hayes,
Captain, Officer in charge of Records"

George was the first person from the Irlam & Cadishead area to be killed in
the war. He is buried in the Etreux British Cemetery in France. The
cemetery is in an orchard on the Landrecies road, beyond the railway line,
and very close to the site of the last stand of the battalion. The
battalion memorial, a Celtic cross (erected by the mother of one of the
Munster's officers), is also located here. Medal Entitlement: 14 Star Trio
(with Clasp).