GEORGE FREDERICK POMEROY
Born: 1872, Pimlico, City of Westminster, Greater London.
Died: 2nd June 1900; age: 28; Died of Enteric Fever at Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa.
ENTERIC FEVER Enteric Fever (eneterica serotype bacteria) was a rampant bacterial infection during the South Africa 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 then contracted by drinking or eating contaminated food or water. This bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage.
In 1897, an effective vaccine was developed by Almroth Wright and William Leisman, 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.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 2843.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion, South Africa Field Force.
Clasps Awarded: Cape Colony & Orange Free State.
CENSUS
1881 1, Stanley Villas, Summerhill Road, Tottenham, London.
George was 9 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Alexander Pomeroy, 50, a Copper Plate Printer, born Kentish Town, London.
Eliza Pomeroy (nee Tucker), 48, born Farringdown Street, City of London.
Frank Louis Pomeroy, 20, a Cook & Confectioner, born Kentish Town.
Alfred Edwin Pomeroy, 19, a Copper Plate Printer, born Kentish Town.
Ada Emma Pomeroy, 13, born Shepperton, Surrey.
1891 Military Camp, St. Botolph, Colchester, Essex.
George was 19 years old, a Soldier ranked Private for the Suffolk Regiment.
On the 10th June 1899, at St. Paul’s Church, Hammersmith, London, 28 year old, George, an Omnibus Conductor, of 11, Chancellor’s Road, Fulham, London, married 21 year old, Mary Cooke, of 11, Chancellor’s Road, Fulham – daughter of Alfred Cooke, a farmer.
George and Mary had 1 daughter:
Georgina Mary Pomeroy, born 13th May 1900, Hammersmith.
After the death of her mother, Mary Pomeroy, young Georgina went to live with her paternal aunt and uncle, Alice Eleanor Gibbs (nee Pomeroy) and Frederick Gibbs. By the time of the England and Wales Register in 1939, retired station master, Frederick Gibbs was widowed and living with Georgina and her husband Henry Johnson, a railway clerk at their home – 46, Fir Tree Walk, Enfield, Middlesex.
One of the notable Battles with a large loss of Suffolk life was the “Battle of Suffolk Hill” at Colesberg, Northern Cape 5th- 6th January 1900. The hill was originally called Red or Grassy Hill. The Suffolk Regiment was ordered to make a night attack on a Boer position on the heights, four companies, 354 of all ranks, set out at midnight under the command of Col. Watson. The Suffolks were met by a storm of bullets. The Colonel was amongst the first to fall, and the party later retired with 11 officers and 150+ men killed, wounded or captured.
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