When he enlisted with the Corps of Lancers on the 9th January 1911, George Herbert Edney was a 19-year-old waiter working in London. He was born in Stoke Newington on the 25th July 1891, the son of Charles and Elizabeth Edney, but by 1901 had moved south of the river and was living with his parents and siblings at 72 Alvey Street, Southwark.
The 1911 census return shows George serving with the 16th Lancers and based at Shrapnel Barracks, Woolwich Common. The photo above may have been taken at around this time, or at least when George had completed basic training, as he is wearing the uniform of the 16th Lancers. He had only been in the army for three months by the time the census return was taken, but in due course he would transfer to the 17th Lancers and see service in India between the 18th December 1913 and the 15th October 1914. It was during this time that the photo, below, was taken.
On his lower left sleeve George wears a chevron representing two years' good conduct, and above that, a marksman's badge. George returned briefly to England in October 1914 and disembarked in France on the 8th November 1914. He would remain in France until April 1919, earning for himself the 1914 Star and British War and Victory Medals.
George married Ada Ansell at the parish church, Warlingham on the 16th August 1919, and their daughter Joan Ruby Edney was born the following year. His address on discharge on the 8th January 1923 was given as No 1 Flat, 29 Palace Gates, Kensington W8.
George Edney died in 1968. His military photos, some of which I have posted here, and his discharge certificate are now in my possession. No service record survives for this man in WO 363/4 but there is an entry in a Royal Tank Regiment enlistment register which gives much useful information. In all likelihood, papers may still be with MoD as George served in the army beyond 1920.
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