Private 202880 George Cyril Draycott

1st/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. Formerly 3680 Leicestershire Yeomanry.

Died of wounds in the France and Flanders Campaign on the 21st February 1917 aged 23 years.

He is buried in the Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

The son of John Thomas and Annie H. Draycott of Anthony Street, Rothley. Brother to William E, John Thomas, Annie H, Mabel, Emily F, Florence M., Frank R., and Helena E Draycott. George Cyril was the youngest and an apprentice butcher in 1911.

Named on the War Memorial, Parish Church Roll of Honour, Parish Church Triptych Roll of Honour and Rothley Constitutional Club Roll of Honour.

The War Diary entry for today records:
At 3.00am the enemy opened up a very heavy bombardment with trench mortars and shells on front line trenches occupied by "A" or Captain WRIGHT'S Coy opposite the Z and barraged the approaches thereto and main road of FONQUEVILLERS with shrapnel and shells of all calibres for 1 1/2 hours either for the purpose of attempting a raid or getting rid of surplus ammunition with a view to withdrawing from GOMMECOURT. Three platoons occupying the front line under Lts. POCHIN, MANTLE and WORDSWORTH withdrew-?-their line and blocked communication trenches leaving Lewis guns in position. Our artillery replied to the assist call within four minutes. If a raid was attempted none of the enemy succeeded in reaching our line. All ranks behaved well under very trying circumstances and two runners of A Coy Pte H. BRADSHAW and Pte P. COLEY were later awarded the Military Medal. The Brig Gen complimented the Battn on its work. Later in the morning A Coy was relieved by B who were in support.