Spr George Kendal Silsbey (Silsby), 522296, 486th Field Coy, Royal Engineers, died in Egypt on October 31st*, 1918, from pneumonia. Parents Harry and Caroline Annie (Carrie) Silsbey had been hoping to see him on home leave. They had not seen him since 1915, when he went to East.

A telegram received by the parents on November 1st, 1918, said their son was dangerously ill with fever, followed by a second telegram on November 6th to say that he died on October 31st from pneumonia.

George was with the Territorials (852) when mobilised. Before the war he worked for engineers Shoolbred & Connell, Cheapside, Luton. He had also been associated with St Saviours Church all his life.

George was the second of Harry and Caroline's sons to die during the war. Eldest brother, Harry, had been reported missing and was later confirmed killed in action in May 1917.

Both George and Harry are commemorated on the Luton Roll of Honour/War Memorial and in the Book of Life compiled at Luton Parish Church.

[*While the telegram to the Luton News and also the Register of Soldiers' Effects give a date of death of October 31st, other records say October 30th. The surname is spelt Silsbey or Silsby in different records.]