George Alfred Priest




G A Priest, courtesy of the Royal Grammar School

Paul's Row (picture from SWOP website)

George Alfred Priest's grave in High Wycombe Cemetery



George Alfred Priest 1894 - 1915

I am George Alfred Priest and I was born on 4th December 1894 in High Wycombe. My parents were Francis Robert & Mary Ellen Priest, nee Langley. In 1901 we were living at 11, Paul’s Row, High Wycombe. My father was a corn dealer. I attended the Wycombe Royal Grammar school for 3yrs before attending another school in Margate for 3yrs 6mths. By 1911 I was employed in my father’s office but later it was decided that I needed to gain further experience in the corn trade so I worked at larger corn merchant establishments in Surbiton and Colchester.

I attested on 3rd November 1915 at Armoury House and joined the Honourable Artillery Company on 9th November 1915. They were considered to be one of the oldest military organisations in the world and expanded to 3 Infantry Battalions and 7 artillery Batteries in WW1.

Unfortunately, I became ill at my billets on 11th December just a few weeks after joining the H.A.C and sadly died in the Richmond Military Hospital as a result of meningitis. I had recently celebrated my 21st birthday.

I was given a semi-military funeral on 23rd December 1915 with the H.A.C providing a firing party, bearers and buglers. The R.F.A at High Wycombe sent a gun carriage drawn by six black horses. Three volleys were fired over my grave and the Last Post was sounded. Hundreds of local people lined the streets to watch the procession and there were many mourners at the graveside. My grave was lined with ivy, and beautiful floral tributes were sent from family and friends. A full report can be found in the Bucks Free Press.

I am remembered on the Royal Grammar School Memorial and also on the High Wycombe Hospital Memorial Plaque.



Researched by Ruth Bowler, Flackwell Local Area History Group

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