George Maurice Beaufoy

Story:
George Maurice Beaufoy was born at Coombe House, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 28 Oct 1893 and baptised at St. John the Baptist Church, Charlton, Donhead St. Mary, on 20 Dec 1893 the son of Mark Hanbury Beaufoy, a Vinegar Distiller, and Mildred Scott Beaufoy (nee Tait).  He spent all his early life at Coombe House and its environs until by 1911 he was recorded as a Scholar/Boarder at Malvern College, Great Malvern, Worcestershire.   At the outbreak of was he had joined the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) and served in France and Flanders from 10 Apr 1915.  The YMCA provided a necessary contact between the serving soldier and their families as well as providing assistance to, in the main, the Royal Army Medical Corps.  David Lloyd George had described the Association as "one of the largest providers of civilian support to soldier, munitions workers and families during the First World War". At the end of hostilities George was awarded the British War Medal.  In 1917 he had been made a Freeman of the City of London and had become head of the Beaufoy Vinegar Distillery, at Caron Place, 87 South Lambeth Road, Lambeth, Surrey, following the death of his father in 1922.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was recorded at the distillery (which included living accommodation) described as Chairman and Manager.  He remained single until 4 Jun 1940 when he married Sylvia Alice Roberts at All Saints Church, Waldron, Sussex.  Regrettably, due to an enemy air raid, he was killed at the Distillery on 17 Apr 1941.  His brother, Robert Harvey Beaufoy, served in the conflict winning, amongst other awards, the Military Medal.  He however died in 1925.