Dedicated to the memory of all the men and women of the Bridgnorth area who died during the two World Wars.
George Bywater was born in Chelmarsh in 1895 and was baptised there on the 3rd March. He was the son of George Bywater, a collier, and his wife, Mary Ann. The family were still living in Chelmarsh in 1911, at which time they resided at Den Farm.
During World War I George served with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, First with the 2nd Battalion and subsequently with the 5th and then the 8th. George went to France in March 1915, which suggests that he volunteered at the start of the war.
George survived the war and was demobilized in March 1919 but he died a few months later, probably of influenza.
Private George Bywater, 16172, KSLI, was awarded the Victory and British War Medals and the 1915 Star.
George's younger brother, Herbert, also served in the KSLI and spent some time as a prisoner of war:
PRISONERS IN GERMANY
[Bridgnorth Journal, Saturday 20th July, 1918]
[includes:] 26403 Private H. Bywater, 6th KSLI, Chelmarsh.
This memorial has mostly been compiled from official sources. It would be good to be able to expand it with more personal material - memories, stories, photos, etc. If you have any suitable material or any corrections please contact Greg. For news of updates follow @BridgnorthHeros on Twitter.