Army Number: n/a

Battalion: 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby) Regiment.

Son of Joseph and Rebecca Shacklock of Rose Cottage, Pleasley, Mansfield, Notts He was educated at Brunt’s School, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire and Queen Elizabeth Boys Grammar School, Mansfield. Whilst attending Reading University College O.T.C was commissioned Second Lieutenant to the Sherwood Foresters 1st July 1914. Went to France on 14th November 1914. Killed in action during the German attack on British trenches at Neuve Chapelle 12th March 1915.

The circumstances of his death were reported by an anonymous officer from his unit, read out at a memorial service that was held at St. Michael’s Church Pleasley, Nottinghamshire.

“He was killed on the morning of 12th of March during a fierce counter-attack the Germans delivered on our lines. He had borne himself with great gallantry. At one time he and his platoon were quite surrounded, but refused to surrender. But they managed to cut their way out. I was surprised to hear that he had been killed. He was lying alongside myself for some time, but I was obliged to go away to another part of the field. I afterwards saw him lying exactly in the same position. He was hit through the temple, and must have died instantaneously. Indeed, I thought at first he was asleep. He was a very capable young fellow. His captain, who lay dead within a few yards of him, held a great opinion of him, and although he was with us for only a short time he had endeared himself to us all. His death is a great blow to those of us who remain.” [1]

[1] ‘The Mansfield and North Notts. Advertiser’, 2nd April 1915.

Commemorated: Le Touret Memorial, France. Panel 26 and 27.

Second Lieutenant George Miller Shacklock is also commemorated on the following local war memorials:-
The Brunt’s School War Memorial, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
The Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School Memorial, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
St. Stephen’s Church War Memorial, Sneinton, Nottingham.