Second Lieutenant George Clarkstone Mitchell

Army Number: n/a

Battalion: 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys) Regiment.

Son of Francis and Angelina Mitchell, of 8, Stella Villas, Nottingham Road, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Enlisted September 1914.

The circumstances of his death were reported in the local press.

“We were in a support line in front of Lagincourt, and the Germans bombarded us for four hours, then attacked. It was during the bombardment that George was killed. I did not see him myself, but my company commander, Captain [Marmaduke Marshall] Shaw [MC], who was killed shortly afterwards, came and told me that George had been killed, and most of his platoon wiped out. Shortly afterwards I got the message that Captain Shaw was killed, thus leaving me the only officer in the company. Soon afterwards I was forced to retire about 50 yards, and there I found what was left of the company, about 20 men. They confirmed what Capt. Shaw had said. I beg to be allowed to offer my sincerest sympathies and to assure you that George died as he wished to die, in harness. His favourite remark in the “mess,” was the saying of an officer and a gentleman, ‘If they’re going to knock me out I hope I’ll have this lot on, and not be caught napping. By ‘this lot’, he meant his equipment. He was one of the bravest men I have ever seen, and he was a good officer. His platoon worshipped him, and he loved them. As a chum, I cannot speak too highly of him. He and I have had good times and bad times together, and shall treasure his memory as long as I live.” [1]

[1] ‘The Mansfield Reporter and Sutton-in-Ashfield Times’, 12th April 1918.

Killed in action, 21st March 1918, aged 23, whilst holding the line near Morchies, France on the opening day of the German Spring Offensive or (Kaiserschlact)

Commemorated: Arras Memorial, France. Bay 7.