Born in 1878 at Woodford, eldest son of George (Gardener) and Ruth Searle. In both 1881 and 1891 he is living With his family at Snakes Lane Woodford Green. 1901: A Domestic Gardener, lodging at 7 Snakes Lane, Woodford Green with Cherry Alexander, an 88 year old widow receiving Parish Relief. His family was living at 6 Snakes Lane. In 1904 he married Eliza Sarah Wood. 1911: A Jobbing Gardener with his wife at 7 Snakes Lane, Woodford Green, and this was the address for his Probate. He enlisted at Woodford and was allocated initially to the East Surrey Regiment before going on to the Royal Fusiliers and finally the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.
After a period of sick leave earlier in 1918 he returned to the front in April 1918. He was involved in the British 100 Days Offensive and the Battles of the Hindenburg Line, in particular the crossing and subsequent Battle of the Canal du Nord which ran from 27th September 1918 to 1st October 1918. This was one of four offensives launched at the end of September, with the aim of ending the war by the onset of winter. The fighting at Canal de Nord was aimed at breaking through the Hindenburg Line and pushing British Forces forward to establish a position from which to launch the later Battle of Cambrai. The line was successfully penetrated, and it seems 2nd Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry were committed on 1st October 19-18. That same day George Searle was Killed in Action, hit by a machine gun bullet while tending a wounded Officer.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
Woodford Times