Born in 1893 at Epping, son of George William (Platelayer for the G.E.R.) and Maria Law. 1901: With his family at 3 Railway Place, Woodford Green. 1911: He had become a Farm Labourer, now living at 59 Ray Lodge Road, Woodford Green with his family.
He enlisted at Stratford, and seems to have done so with his friend and next door neighbour Henry John Oakley. Both men joined 6th Royal West Kents, Law having the number G/11122, and Oakley G/11123.
In July 1916 they found themselves at the Battle of the Somme. Held in reserve during the disastrous actions on 1st July 1916, the Battalion was part of the attack on Ovillers during 3rd July 1916, intending to take ground and straighten out the line. A late order to cancel an attack to their left resulted in the Battalion being exposed to constant heavy enfilade fire from the Leipzig Salient, but they were also held up by enemy barbed wire, and so became easy victims for machine gunners in Marsh Valley. 375 men out of 617 would become casualties.
Both Law and Oakley who lived next door to each other, joined the same battalion at the same time and served together at the same place, also died together during this attack. While Henry Oakley rests in Ovillers Cemetery, his friend George Law was never found.
X/R : Private Henry John Oakley (Friend & Neighbour).
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com