“Private John Graham George (Service no. 12/544) served with the Auckland Regiment of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. John was born in 1882 at Rixton. He was christened John William George but he changed his name to John Graham George later in life. He was the son of Joseph and Annie George, of 4 Dean Road, Cadishead and he had three sisters and two brothers. His father worked as a railway signalman. The family lived in Rixton for a while before moving to Cadishead some time before 1901. John originally worked as a railway clerk before enlisting in the Royal Marine Light Infantry before the Great War. He served in the Marines for 4 years and after completing his term he decided to emigrate to New Zealand where he found employment as a soap maker for Warnock Bros., Richmond, Auckland. He resided at Peni Lodge, Arch Hill, Auckland. On 18th August 1914 he enlisted into the Auckland Regiment at Auckland. His description was recorded as 5 foot 8 inches tall, weighing 140lb, and of Anglican denomination. Between 18th August and 15th October 1914 he underwent military training in New Zealand. He left New Zealand for service overseas on 16th October and was at sea on board transport ship no. 12 Waimana until 3rd December. On 4th December, his battalion disembarked in Egypt where it remained until April 1915. On 25th/26th of that month the battalion landed at what is now known as Anzac Cove, Gallipoli. On 8th August 1915, John received a gunshot wound in the abdomen. He had been shot by a sniper whilst resting in his dugout following the battle of 7th August. On 9th August he was evacuated off the Peninsula and taken aboard the hospital ship Valdivia where he was treated. John died of wounds on Friday, 13th August 1915, aged 33, and was buried at sea. He is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli. He had served a total of 361 days in the Auckland Infantry Regiment.” [Source: https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/story/107845, Accessed: 4/01/2023]