George Cecil Reay

Born in West Hartlepool 1895, he enlisted in the Durham Royal Garrison Artillery in August 1914 and was present at the German bombardment of Hartlepool in December 1914.

He was commissioned in 1915 as a Second Lieutenant in the 22nd (Pioneers) Battalion DLI, fought on the Western Front and was awarded the Croix de Guerre. Recalled for service in 1940, he served with the 8th Battalion DLI and later on the Staff at home and in Italy. He finally retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1945. In civilian life, he worked for the South Durham Steel & Iron Company. George Reay died in 1954, aged 60.