GEORGE JAMES ALLENSBY
Born: 3rd May 1880, St. George, Walworth, South East London.
Baptised on the 24th October 1880 at St. John the Evangelist Church, Larcom Street, Walworth – family home at 82, Henshaw Street, Walworth.
Died: 26th February 1901; age 20; died of Enteric Fever at Wynberg Military Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
E.A.D.T. – Saturday, 2nd March 1901 – The War Office announce that 4709 Private George Allensby, of the 1st Suffolk Regiment, died from enteric fever at Wynberg on the 26th February.
ENTERIC FEVER Enteric Fever (eneterica serotype bacteria) was a rampant bacterial infection during the South African Boer War – 1899 – 1902.
This systemic disease, now known as Typhoid Fever, from the bacterium Salmonella typhi, is characterised by fever and abdominal pain. The disease is spread via the lymphatic system and can affect other parts of the body, or even the whole body. The symptoms usually develop a week or two after a person has become infected, bringing on a high temperature, headaches, coughs, lethargy, aches and pains, loss of appetite, sickness and diarrhoea. After 2 – 3 weeks, intestinal bleeding.
Enteric Fever was originally thought to be spread via dust storms and flies.
Human carriers with acute illness can contaminate the surrounding water supply through their faeces, which contain a high concentration of the bacteria. The polluted water supply can, in turn, taint the food supply. Enteric (Typhoid) Fever is contracted by drinking or eating contaminated food or water. This bacterium can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage.
In 1897, an effective vaccine was developed by Almroth Wright and William Leishman at the Army Medical School, Netley. At the time of the Boer War, the new inoculation had many side effects, and soldiers refused voluntary immunisation. The inoculation was still voluntary in August 1914, when Great Britain entered the First World War.
Residence: 176, Wornington Road, Chelsea, Middlesex.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 4709.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, Mounted Infantry, South Africa Field Force.
Grave Reference:
St. John’s Parish Cemetery,
Wynberg,
Cape Town,
Western Cape,
South Africa.
Clasps Awarded: Cape Colony, Transvaal & Orange Free State + South Africa 1901 medal.
CENSUS
1881 82, Henshaw Street, St. George, Walworth, South East London.
George was 11 months old and living with his parents & brother.
James Thomas Allensby, 30, a Stained Glass Kilnsman, born Clerkenwell, Middlesex.
Jane Allensby (nee Debnam), 30, born Marylebone, Middlesex.
Thomas Henry Allensby, 2, born Marylebone.
1891 176, Wornington Road, Chelsea, Middlesex.
George was 10 years old and living with his mother & siblings.
Jane, 41.
Thomas, 12, an Office Boy.
Louisa Prudence Allensby, 6, born Chelsea.
Amelia Kate Allensby, 3, born Paddington.
Alice Jane Allensby, 3 months, born Chelsea.
On the 30th August 1886, George was registered at Moberley School, Harrow Road, Westminster, by his mother, Jane Allensby, of 43, Chippenham Terrace, Westminster.
On the 21st January 1889, George was registered at Harrow Road School for Boys, Westminster, by his father, James Allensby, of 176, Wornington Road, Chelsea. He left the school on the 1st December 1893.
Soldiers’ Effects to James T. Allensby – father.
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