Special Constable George Norman Douglas North Riding of Yorkshire Special Constabulary
The Man George Norman Douglas was born on Saturday 12th May 1883 in North Yorkshire, son of John Thomas, an Ironworks Cashier an Elizabeth (Eliza) nee Chamberlain. He was one of seven children; Harry Cole, born in 1880, Gertrude Helen 1881, Mabel 1886, Jeanette 1887, Thomas 1889 and Sydney 1891.
In 1891 the family were shown as living at 7 Turner Street, in Rotherham, together with John’s mother Hannah and Alice Thompson a 21-year-old servant. By 1901 they were at the same address and George now aged 17 was working as a Timber Merchant’s Clerk. His Grandmother, Hannah, had died and the current servant was Mary A Moore aged 18.
Sadly George’s Mother Eliza died on 4th November 1908 when he was aged 25. By 1911 he was still living with his father together with Jeanette, Thomas, Sydney and a servant Florence Green aged 19, at 131 High Street, Redcar, Yorkshire. George had now become a Secretary in a limited liability company.
At the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, George was aged 31. By the time conscription was introduced in 1916 he was 32 and became eligible for call up. However, no record can be found of him serving in the Armed Forces and he may have been exempt as a reserved occupation, or for another reason. He did though join the North Riding of Yorkshire Special Constabulary as a Constable, being awarded the Long Service Medal. The medal does not have the ‘Great War 1914-18’ clasp indicating George may have served for at least three years (war service counting treble) during the Great War, but may not have completed 150 duties, thus not been eligible for the clasp, or it has been lost.
By 1916 the family were living at 4 Granville Terrace, Redcar and George’s younger brother, Sydney who had enlisted into the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment was sadly killed in action on 14th February 1916 aged 24. He was buried at Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm) in Belgium.
In 1891 the family were shown as living at 7 Turner Street, in Rotherham, together with John’s mother Hannah and Alice Thompson a 21-year-old servant. By 1901 they were at the same address and George now aged 17 was working as a Timber Merchant’s Clerk. His Grandmother, Hannah, had died and the current servant was Mary A Moore aged 18.
Sadly George’s Mother Eliza died on 4th November 1908 when he was aged 25. By 1911 he was still living with his father together with Jeanette, Thomas, Sydney and a servant Florence Green aged 19, at 131 High Street, Redcar, Yorkshire. George had now become a Secretary in a limited liability company.
At the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914, George was aged 31. By the time conscription was introduced in 1916 he was 32 and became eligible for call up. However, no record can be found of him serving in the Armed Forces and he may have been exempt as a reserved occupation, or for another reason. He did though join the North Riding of Yorkshire Special Constabulary as a Constable, being awarded the Long Service Medal. The medal does not have the ‘Great War 1914-18’ clasp indicating George may have served for at least three years (war service counting treble) during the Great War, but may not have completed 150 duties, thus not been eligible for the clasp, or it has been lost.
By 1916 the family were living at 4 Granville Terrace, Redcar and George’s younger brother, Sydney who had enlisted into the 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment was sadly killed in action on 14th February 1916 aged 24. He was buried at Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm) in Belgium.
On 21st Jun 1918 George was initiated into the 1244 Marwood Lodge of the Freemasons in Redcar, passing on 9th October and being raised on 20th November. During the last quarter of 1923 aged 40 he married Norma Thompson Wilson aged 30 in Auckland and they had one son, Sydney Wilson Douglas, who was named after his uncle and mother’s maiden name.
By 1939 aged 56, George was living with Norma and Sydney at 48 Harrow Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough and shown as a Manager of a Timber Yard. He sadly died on 28th July 1942 aged 59, possibly whilst at work as his place of passing is given as Commercial Street. His effects came to £1333 8s 1d which he left to Norma.
Norma lived a further 43 years and moved to Gloucestershire, possibly to be close to Sydney who was in the Royal Air Force and based at RAF Innsworth. She lived at 131 Hucclecote Road, Hucclecote and later at St Faiths Nursing Home, Western Road, Cheltenham. She passed away at the grand age of 92 on 23rd January 1985, was cremated and her ashes placed in the grave of her parents at Bishop Auckland Cemetery.
By 1939 aged 56, George was living with Norma and Sydney at 48 Harrow Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough and shown as a Manager of a Timber Yard. He sadly died on 28th July 1942 aged 59, possibly whilst at work as his place of passing is given as Commercial Street. His effects came to £1333 8s 1d which he left to Norma.
Norma lived a further 43 years and moved to Gloucestershire, possibly to be close to Sydney who was in the Royal Air Force and based at RAF Innsworth. She lived at 131 Hucclecote Road, Hucclecote and later at St Faiths Nursing Home, Western Road, Cheltenham. She passed away at the grand age of 92 on 23rd January 1985, was cremated and her ashes placed in the grave of her parents at Bishop Auckland Cemetery.
The Story For the details on how this biography was completed see George Douglas' son Sydney Wilson Douglas
Medal Details:
- Special Constabulary Long Service Medal: GEORGE DOUGLAS
Return to: The Collection
Go to Previous Page: Harold Patrick DONLON
Go to next Page: Sydney Wilson DOUGLAS
Go to Previous Page: Harold Patrick DONLON
Go to next Page: Sydney Wilson DOUGLAS
This page last updated 5 Dec 20