Rank: Private 11151 Regiment: 1st Bn., Royal Dublin Fusiliers Died: 29/06/1915 Age: 24 Parish: Budleigh Salterton Local Memorials: Budleigh Salterton Roll of Honour, Budleigh Salterton War Memorial, St Peter's Church War Memorial Other Memorial: Helles Memorial [Google] PDF Download: HUNT George
George was born in Fethard, County Waterford, Ireland to George Hunt and Mary. His father was Chief Coastguard in Budleigh Salterton but the family cannot be found in the census records of England.
They must have come to Budleigh Salterton prior to 1914 as that is George’s place of residence when enlisting, and on his will. His parents are both buried in St Peter’s Cemetery, Moor Lane in 1937 and 1953 respectively and the gravestone also has an inscription to George O Hunt killed at Gallipoli.
He had been a member of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers which took part in the Gallipoli campaign, landing at Cape Helles on April 25, 1915 and taking heavy casualties. Of 1,000 men from the Dublins who had landed, 600 were killed or injured, and they temporarily joined with the 1st Munsters to form the “Dubsters”.
George is remembered on the War Memorial and on the brass plaque in St Peter’s Church, and at the Helles Memorial in Turkey. As the family home was called ‘Jutland’ perhaps the father had a connection with the Battle of Jutland in May 1916 in which another Coastguard stationed in Budleigh Salterton had taken part.
George Hunt, 1st Dublin Fusiliers is listed under 'Died in their Country's Service' in the Budleigh Salterton Roll of Honour.
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