George Lay

Corporal, London Regiment

Age 15, Class Remove C: 'Seems to be trying harder. Conduct quite satisfactory.'

George Lay was a student at Alleyn’s until 1914 and lived at 177 Rommany Road, West Norwood with his parents, Arthur and Matilda, and his brothers, Henry, Walter and Herbert. When the First World War broke out in August 1914, George had already volunteered to be part of the British Territorial Force and was serving at home with the (Queen’s), Royal West Surrey Regiment. After volunteering for overseas service, George was posted to the London Regiment where he served with 22^nd Battalion as a Corporal. He saw service on the Western Front in France throughout 1916-17 until suffering a gunshot wound to the ankle which left him unable to walk without a limp. He was returned to England in February 1917 to recover from his injury and was later discharged after being found medically unfit for service. George served overseas for a total of three years and 151 days and was awarded the British War and Victory Medal after the end of the conflict in 1918. After being discharged from the Army, he found employment with the London Guarantee and Accident Co. Ltd in Holborn.