Dawlish World War One Project

George joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Seaman on the 13th March 1906. On reaching 18 years of age he signed on for 12 years' service. In 1911 he was an Able Seaman (A.B.) and is shown as a Visitor at his older brother  William's address in Starcross where he was a boarder with a family.

George was posted to H.M.S.THUNDERER in June 1912 and then to R.N. Barracks, Devonport (H.M.S.VIVID) on 1st October 1915. He appears to have shown himself well and was 'Passed educationally for Petty Officer on 2 June 1914'.

He was invalided out of the service on 11th December 1915 (the indistinct handwritten note appears to show 'pulmonary tuberculosis') .  See further detail in Documents, below.

George was third son of Harry and Emily Pike. His father was an agricultural worker who had been born at Kenton and his mother was from Okehampton.

Harry and Emily were living at 1 Staplake Cottage, Starcross in 1891 with three children; Henry J, 4, William 2, and George, 10 months.

Emily died in the December quarter of 1896 (St Thomas, vol 5b, p47) so that in the 1901 census Harry Pike is shown as a widower with five children at the same address, William, 12, George, 10, Amelia, 9, Annie, 7, and Edith, 6.

In July 1915 George married Rose Mary Shorland. They had no children and she died a widow on 5th June 1943 at 38 Brook Street, Dawlish, leaving her effects to Walter Shorland, a farm labourer.

More detail of his life appears in Documents, below.