George Chowns was born in Thame in late 1878 when his parents John and mary (nee Phillips) were living in North Street. He was baptised at St Mary’s on 17 August 1882. The family moved to Moorend Lane in 1901 where George was working as a driver for a butcher.

He married Annie Phillips on 1st December 1906 in Aylesbury and by 1911 he is living at 3 Church Row, Thame with his wife and three young sons, Fred age 4, William age 3 and Jack 10 months and working as a carman.

He was called up for service on 19th February 1917 when he was 38 years old, and joined the 344th Road Construction Company, Royal Engineers (WR/26650) as a Pioneer. He gives his home address as Ivydene Cottage, Aylesbury Road Thame.

After training he served in France from 12th May 1917 to 16th February 1919.

During his demob leave, he contracted pneumonia and died at a Nursing Home in Thame on 23rd February 1919 aged just 41. He was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard, Thame on 27th February 1919.

He left a wife and six children. The CWGC records his widow Annie living at 6 Hampden Avenue, Thame. The additional three children being Kathleen born 1912, George born 1914 and Henry born 1916.

George is remembered in Thame on the war memorial, St Mary’s and All Saints church memorial board.