George Peachment facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George Stanley Peachment
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| Born | 5 May 1897 Bury, Lancashire |
| Died | 25 September 1915 (aged 18) near Hulluch, France |
| Buried |
Remembered on the Loos Memorial
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| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Service number | R/11941 |
| Unit | King's Royal Rifle Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
George Stanley Peachment was a very brave English soldier. He received the Victoria Cross (VC), which is the highest award for courage given to British and Commonwealth soldiers. He earned this special medal for his amazing bravery during World War I. George was only 18 years old when he died in battle.
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Who Was George Stanley Peachment?
George Stanley Peachment was born on May 5, 1897. He grew up in Bury, Lancashire, a town in England. Before he joined the army, George was an apprentice (a trainee) who helped make steam engines.
In April 1915, when he was just 17 years old, George decided to join the army. He was actually too young to join, so he gave a false age to be able to enlist. He first joined the 6th battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps. Later, he moved to the 2nd battalion.
A Brave Soldier in World War I
George was a Private in the 2nd Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps. This was part of the British Army during World War I. His incredible act of bravery happened on September 25, 1915. This was during the Battle of Loos near a place called Hulluch in France.
His Amazing Act of Courage
During a very tough battle, George's army unit had to pull back to get organized again. George saw his Company Commander, Captain Dubs, lying wounded. Even though there was intense enemy fire, George didn't think about his own safety. There was a shell hole nearby where he could have hidden, but he didn't.
Instead, Private Peachment crawled towards his wounded officer to help him. He knelt in the open, trying to assist Captain Dubs. While he was doing this, he was first wounded by an enemy bomb. Just a minute later, he was hit by a rifle bullet and was fatally wounded. George was one of the youngest soldiers in his battalion. He showed incredible courage and self-sacrifice that day.
A Young Hero
George Stanley Peachment was only 18 years and 4 months old when he died. This made him the second youngest soldier in the army to receive the Victoria Cross during World War I. The only person younger than him to receive it was John Cornwell.
Where is His Medal Now?
Today, George Stanley Peachment's Victoria Cross medal is kept in the Lord Ashcroft VC Collection. You can see it at the Imperial War Museum in London.
