George Roberts

Story:
George Roberts was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 20th April 1887, the son of James Roberts and Emma Jane Roberts (née Lane).  He grew up at the family home at 15 Layton Lane in Shaftesbury.   By 1909 he had moved to Abertillery, Monmouthshire, to work as a Collier and had served two years with the South Wales Borderers (3rd Volunteer Battalion) on a Territorial basis.   On 14th January 1909 he re-enlisted with the Monmouthshire Regiment (48th Provisional, 3rd Battalion) as a Territorial and he attended annual training camps (Service No. 699).  He married Margretta  Deacon on 13 Nov 1910 at St. Michaels Church, Abertillery, Monmouthshire, and they went on to have four children.  He was mobilized on 5th August 1914 and served as a Private in the UK only.  He was discharged on 17th May 1916 having completed his terms of engagement.  He gave his address as 29 Kings Head Road, Abertillery.  No medal records can be found for this soldier.  The 1921 Census shows him living at 4 Vine Cottages, Pantypwelyn Road, Abertillaery, described as a Colliery Haulier (out of work). By the 1939 Register he had moved to 32 Montague Street, Abertillery and was noted now working as a Colliery Coal Cutter (Below Ground).  He died in 1955 in the Bedwellty Registration District. 

Two of George's brothers served in the war: James (b.1879) with the Dorsetshire Regiment and Charles (b.1888) with the Dorsets.