Dates:
War Service:
Private 245773 George Alfred Quinn, 2nd Battalion, London Regiment was awarded a Military Medal in France during the First World War.
Details:
He was the son of Mrs Alice Mary Quinn, 13 Bell Green, Lower Sydenham. Before enlisting he worked at the Sydenham Gas Works. He was one of five brothers who went to war, four of whom Arthur, Charles, Edward and John died, George alone returned.
He survived the war and died in 1970 at the age of 70.
Press Report: There is a report of George's appearance before the Lewisham Military Service Tribunal in the Lewisham Borough News 14 November 1917, that reads:
THREE SONS KILLED
Mrs. Quinn of 13, Bell green, Sydenham, appeared to support a claim by her son G.A. Quinn, who had just attained the age of 18. His employer, G.Field, greengrocer and coal merchant, also sought to retain his services. The claim which was sent in by the lad's father, stated that three sons and one son-in-law,[*] had been killed in France, and that another son had been invalided home suffering from trench fever. The whole five of them had volunteered. - The Chairman (to Mrs Quinn) : "What does your son himself want to do" - The lady did not reply. - Mr Cockerton : I think we ought to take this case into consideration. - Mr. May : What is he earning? - The Employer : 23s a week. - Mr. Harry : I am going to suggest that this case should have some consideration, but, although you grant three or four months now, it should not mean that it will be necessarily continued. Mrs Quinn has given a great deal to the war - more than most of us have done. There are two other sons. - The Chariman (to the mother) : You will understand that it is not necessarily permanent. - Mr. Harry : I have no objection to four months. - Mr. Cockerton : It appears to be an extremely exceptional case and at the very least it is deserving of six months. - The Tribunal agreed to grant six months conditional on the lad joining the V.T.C
Note:
[*] It is probable that Albert John Gurney was the son-in-law referred to.
Source:
The Lewisham Borough News 14 November 1917
Contributed By: Steve Quinn, his grandson
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