Pte George James Cumbers

George was born in Brentwood, the son of Edward and Harriet. At the start of the 1900s his father worked delivering coal to houses in Brentwood.

It isn't clear when George joined the army, but he was a private in the 13th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment. The 13th Battalion was formed in 1914 and was part of the 39th Division. They were involved in the Battle of the Lys in April 1918, which was a German offensive in Flanders.

On the night of 24th April George with his battalion was sent to relieve the 16th Manchesters on the front line, and at 2:30am on the 25th a heavy artillery barage began on their new trenches. The battalion war diary records the action the following day, during which George was lost:

Throughout the night the 25/26 the position was heavily shelled, and retaliation was asked for, at 5 am reports were received from the front line, showing enemy to be preparing for attack, a very heavy mist prevailed at the time. At 5:30am the SOS was sent through by wire, no reply being received. The enemy meanwhile had apparently attacked on the right, the line held by the Battalion not becoming engaged. At 7:30am strong parties of the enemy were seen approaching Bn. Head Qrs. at Spoil Bank, the mist enabling him to approach within 50 yards unseen, the alarm was given and the men ordered to take up position on the top of Spoil Bank - before this could be carried out, the enemy had gained the Bank and subjected Bn. Headqrs. to intense Rifle and Machine Gun Fire. The mist prevented the post on the Bluff from seeing and rendering assistance. The result of this was:- that only 3 officers and about 10 O.R. of Bn. Headquarters escaped - the remainder with the exception of 1 officer & 30 men of the 13th Bn. Gloucester Regt. who gallantly held the Bluff - were either killed, wounded, or captured.

The battalion was decimated in this attack, the battalion commander was killed as well as a large part of the battalion killed or wounded; the next day at roll call only 7 men were present. George was reported missing, later presumed killed, and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.