Duncan Cenotaph – Charles Hoey Park

As part of our project to document the names on Duncan’s Cenotaph in Charles Hoey Park on Canada Avenue, here is what we know about Private George Henry Attwood, who died in France, on 9 April 1917, of wounds sustained in action:

Here is the local newspaper report of George Henry Attwood’s death:

“Pte. George Henry Attwood

First reported wounded, Pte. George Henry Attwood has now to be numbered among the gallant host who have died for their country. He hailed from Devon, England, was about 35 years of age and had been in this district some five years. He had served in the Royal Navy. He leaves a wife in Duncan. He enlisted with the Pioneers.”

(source: Cowichan Leader, 31 May 1917, from Cowichan Valley Museum & Archives collections)

Update: we were contacted, via the dialogue box below, by Heather Roche, a researcher for Teign Heritage, Teignmouth, Devon, U.K., who sent us the following information about George Henry Attwood. We have added links for our readers’ convenience:

“George was born 1879 and baptised 18 March at St. Nicholas Church, Shaldon, Devon, son of George, a Marine, and Elizabeth Attwood. He lived in Shaldon until entering the Royal Navy. He is shown on 1901 census as an AB [note: Able Bodied Seaman] based at Devonport, Plymouth. In 1911 he was living with his widowed mother in Teignmouth having left the RN [note: Royal Navy]. Shortly afterwards on 14 May 1911 he is shown on the Hesperian leaving Liverpool for Quebec.

He is remembered on Seafront Memorial and St. James’ Church Memorial Window, Teignmouth.”

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Information

G. H. Attwood; Rank: Private; Service Number: 490524; Date of Death: 23 May 1917; Canadian Pioneers 3rd Battalion; Grave: Noeux-Les_Mines Communal Cemetery, France

Other Links:

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