GEORGE WILLIAM RIVERS

From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730

As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570

Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.

Image from the Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury – 1918

Born: 1896, Hong Kong, China.

Died: 3rd September 1918; age 22; KiA.

Residence: 257, Norwich Road, Ipswich.

Employed: Messrs. R. Bond and Sons, Auctioneers, Ipswich.

Enlistment Location: Woodbridge, Suffolk. Next of Kin: Aunt – Miss Rivers, of 257, Norwich Road, Ipswich.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 320371

Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 15th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Battalion.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.

Grave Reference:

IV.D.10.

Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension,

Somme,

France.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Thomas & Adelaide Lucia Rivers, of Earls Colne, Essex.

CENSUS

1901   2, Crane Hill, Ipswich.

George was 4 years old and living with his paternal aunt.

Eliza Rivers, 42, living on her own means, born Plaistow, Essex.

1 general domestic servant.

In 1901, George’s parents and one-year-old sister were living at 52, Hazelbourne, Streatham, Surrey. His father, George Thomas Rivers, was a Stationer.

1911   257, Norwich Road, Ipswich.

George was 14 years old and living with his aunt.

Eliza Rivers, 50, Private Means.

1 general domestic servant.

Father: George Thomas Rivers, born 1861, Lowestoft, Suffolk and known as G.T.

Mother: Adelaide Lucia Inman, born 1873, Albany, Western Australia, Australia.

George was educated at Mrs. Steel’s private prep school, Ipswich, Banham Grammar School – 22nd January 1908 – July 1909. The privately owned grammar school began to get into difficulties in 1909; the Headmaster, Fred Cole, left to become Headmaster at Thetford Grammar School, taking 26 boys with him. George was one of these boys and attended and boarded Thetford Grammar School from 23rd September 1909 – 20th December 1910, first in Form IV and then Form V. His parents were recorded as living in America. His residence – 257, Norwich Road, Ipswich. His father, George Rivers, was an Engineer. Full fees were paid at Thetford Grammar School. George then moved on to Woodbridge Grammar School. His parents were recorded as Farmers, at Spokane, Washington, America.

In 1871, at the age of 8, George’s father, George Thomas Rivers, also attended and boarded at Banham Grammar School.

George’s parents separated. His sister, Elsie Adelaide Rivers, born 1900, Farnham, Surrey, remained with their mother. In May 1909, Adelaide married William Drew, in Lincoln County, Washington. In October 1916, Adelaide married James Lee Speed, at Waterville, Douglas County, Washington. In June 1919, his father, George, of Spokane, Washington, returned to England, sailing from Montreal to Liverpool.

Soldiers’ Effects to George Thomas Rivers – father.

In 1921, George’s paternal aunt Eliza Rivers and his father, George Thomas Rivers, lived together at Fairview, Earls Colne, Essex.

Suffolk Regiment, 15th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Battalion:

Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements

SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM

Friends of The Suffolk Regiment