b. 24/07/1889 Manchester. d. 22/11/1957 Oldham, Lancashire.
George Albert Stringer (1889-1957) was born in Newton Heath, Manchester, on 24th July 1889. On leaving school, George worked for a local cloth dyer and bleacher. In 1905, at the age of 16, he chose to enlist with the Lancashire Fusilier Volunteers, a militia unit, and just before the outbreak of World War One, he joined a Territorial unit of the Manchester Regiment, then went on active duty with the 1st Battalion.
George A Stringer VC
His unit was initially posted to the Western Front in France, where it remained until December 1915, when it was posted to Mesopotamia in January 1916.
On 8th March 1916, during the Battle of Es Sinn, after the capture of an enemy position, he was posted on the extreme right of the Battalion in order to guard against any hostile attack. His battalion was subsequently forced back by an enemy counter-attack, but Private Stringer held his ground single-handed and kept back the enemy till all his hand-grenades were expended. His very gallant stand saved the flank of his battalion and rendered a steady withdrawal possible.
Three days later he saved the lives of two officers, for which he was Mentioned in Despatches and Serbia awarded him the Miloš Obili Gold Medal for Bravery. He was gazetted for the Victoria Cross on 5th August 1916. Some time after this he was wounded and developed enteric fever and Jaundice and was returned to the UK in June 1917. He was presented with the VC on 21st July 1917 by King George V at Buckingham Palace.
As a result of his wounds he was given a disability pension and a job as a doorkeeper with the Manchester Assistance Board which he kept until he retired at age 62, with time out during World War II for a stint as a munitions worker.
George died on 10th November 1957 at the age of 68, at Oldham General Hospital, Lancashire. He was buried in Philips Park Cemetery, Manchester, with a headstone erected by The Manchester Regiment Old Comrades Association. His medals are held by the Manchester Regiment Museum, Ashton Town Hall, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: MANCHESTER REGIMENTAL MUSEUM, ASHTON UNDER LYNE.
BURIAL PLACE: PHILLIPS PARK CEMETERY, MANCHESTER.
Section M, Grave 1826
Acknowledgements:
Kevin Brazier – Images of the Stringer VC Grave and Cemetery Map for Philips Park Cemetery, and of the Stringer VC Memorial in Philips Park.
Steve Hoar – Image of the Stringer VC Stone at the Manchester Cenotaph.
Manchester Regiment Museum – Images of the Stringer VC Medal Group and the reverse of the VC Medal.