Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1892 in the Salford R.D. - ref: 8d/168,
the son of John Edward & Maria Varah (nee Riley).

His mother Maria Varah died in early 1896 - aged: 32.  Probably died in
childbirth with George's youngest sister - Edith Maria Varah who was born
during the same quarter of 1896.

1901 Census - 9 Marriott Street, Withington, Manchester.   Nephew - aged: 8
- born: Salford.  His widowed father - John Edward Varah - aged: 35 - occ:
Manager Provision Shop - born: Wickersley, Yorkshire, plus 3 of George's
siblings were residing with Edward Newton and Caroline Adams and their
family.  Edward was also the Manager of a Provision Shop and Caroline, no
doubt acting as surrogate mother to the four young Varah children.

1911 Census - 60 Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester.   Nephew - aged: 18
- occ: Railway Clerk - born: Salford.   His widowed father - John Edward
Varah - aged: 45 - occ: Provision Salesman - born: Wickersley, Yorkshire,
plus 3 of George's siblings were residing with Edward Newton and Caroline
Adams and their family.   Edward was also a Provision Salesman and
Caroline, no doubt, still acting as surrogate mother to the four teenage
Varah children still at home.

Killed on the third day of the German Spring Offensive 1918 that commenced
on the 21st March 1918.  From the 7th to the 10th March 1918, the Bn was
billeted at Etreillers, where general training and the manning of battle
positions was carried out.   On the 10th, the Bn relieved the 2nd
Yorkshires in the left sector of the line before St. Quentin.   This tour
lasted until the 18th, when they were relieved by their 16th Bn and were
billeted partly at Savy Dug-outs and partly at Vaux.    The long expected
German Offensive started at 04.50 hrs on the 21st.  Visibility was bad that
morning, so the enemy's positions were not clearly established until the
weather cleared in the afternoon.  Communications were maintained by the
signallers and the position of the 17th Bn remained intact.

Early on the morning of the 22nd was again shrouded in dense mist and the
enemy managed to enter the Quarry at Savy, but an attack by the 17th drove
the Germans out and resulted in the capture of 31 prisoners.  Towards the
afternoon the Germans gradually encroached upon the flanks.  Brigade HQ had
been moved back and it looked as if it was going to be fighting to the last
man and everyone seemed to be aware of that.  Following a heavy bombardment
the enemy attacked at 16.00 hrs on the 22nd and after the last rounds of
ammunition had been expended, their position fell into enemy hands.   Many
men had been able to retreat, first to the Villeque Line near Bunny Wood
where they were reorganised.  However, owing to the enemy closing in on
both flanks, they were further withdrawn to Muille Villette.

Special Memorial 25 is a CWGC block memorial inscribed - "In Memory of the
68 British Empire soldiers, killed in action and buried at the German
Cemetery on the St. Quentin-Roupy Road, whose graves are now lost -
Memorial 25"

He is only commemorated at the Savy British Cemetery - not buried there.