Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Photo of George William Thacker – George William Thacker was the son of David and Sarah A. Thacker, of East Stockwith, Lincolnshire. George joined the British Army and served 13 years 3 months with 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, as 71737 L/Cpl G.W. Thacker. He served in South Africa during the Boer War campaign and was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal and 3 Bars:- Transvaal, S.A. 1901 and S.A. 1902. On leaving the Army (if he joined as a boy he would have left about 1909-10) George worked on the Great Central Railway. The GCR Journal of November 1910 records that porter-shunter G. W. Thacker transferred from Dovecliffe (near Barnsley) to Barnetby to take up duties of a shunter. The December 1911 Journal records that J. W. Thacker transferred from Barnetby to Grimsby Docks as a shunter and in October 1912 was promoted leading shunter. The March 1913 Journal records J. W. Thacker as promoted to leading shunter at Grimsby Docks! (the next rung up the promotion ladder was from leading shunter to brakesman). The August 1913 Journal records that brakesman G. W. Thacker, Grimsby Docks, left the service. Meanwhile George married Rose, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Maddison of West Street, Barnetby. George and his wife subsequently emigrated to Canada (in 1913?)and set up home at Indian Head, Saskatchewan, where he worked as a labourer.

Grave marker – George William Thacker's headstone in Givenchy Road Canadian Cemetery, Neuville-St-Vaast.

Original Burial Site – Sgt G. W. Thacker and 'Barnetby Boy' 443323 L/Cpl G. W. Smith, D Company, 54th (Kootenay) Battalion, 2nd Central Ontario Regiment, CEF, were originally buried in the same 50 yard square area about 100 yards north of Givench Road Canadian Cemetery and 50 yards from the Canadian Cemetery No. 2 entrance. The CWGC record the burial site of Sgt Thacker as a two figure map grid reference, 44a.S.21b.1.3. [50 yard square], while L/Cpl Smith's burial site has a four figure grid reference, 44a.S.21b.10.35. [5 yard square]). L/Cpl G. W. Smith is now buried in Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, about 1 mile to the west.

Givenchy Road Canadian Cemetery – General view of Givenchy Road Canadian Cemetery. George Thacker's headstone is in the rear row, eighth from the right. The red sign in the trees to the right of the Cross of Sacrifice notifies that the area, pockmarked with shell holes, has not been cleared of all battlefield debris and entry is prohibited.