Georges headstone with the roses. 
Harry Wells VC 
The lone tree, Loos battlefield 
Laying a wreath in 2017 
Dud Corner 
Overlooking Dud Corner cemetery and the Loos battlefield
A young French lad, Maxence Druelle, recently made contact with me through Facebook.
He had seen one of my notifications on Facebook about my great uncle “George W Short” who was killed in the “Battle of Loos” 1915, whilst serving in France with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment. I think Maxence had seen the one where I had stated I could not make it over to visit George’s grave this year because of Covid 19.
He was interested in my research and told me he also lives in the village of Hulloch which was very close to the “Loos battlefield” and “Dud Corner” CWG where George lays at rest. The name “Dud Corner” is believed to be due to the large number of unexploded enemy shells found in the neighbourhood after the Armistice.
He impressed me with his historical interest and empathy with Frances history over the last century or so. Particularly around the two dreadful wars that France suffered and endured over its territories during The great war 1914-1918 and also World War 2 1939-1945.
Maxence visited Dud Corner recently for me and has taken some excellent photos of George’s grave and the grave of a “Sergeant Harry Wells”
He has also extracted the two entries from the book of remembrance covering George and Harry Wells.
“Sergeant Harry Wells” was awarded the Victoria Cross on that fateful day 25th September 1915. The notification of that award can be seen in the photo below, taken by Maxence.
It is quite possible that George took part in Harry’s rallying call for the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Sussex to go forward again into the affray, even after all the officers had been killed. We will never know.
But, perhaps, just perhaps, our George was there alongside Harry and he took part in that courageous effort that earned him the highest award of bravery that can be given out.
Thank you, Maxence for those pictures and the photos from the book of remembrance at Dud Corner.
I particularly like the close-up photo of George’s headstone showing the roses in full bloom.
George W Short’s story: http://www.warhistoryonline.com (A letter from the front)
Onlyvfr 