George was born on 11 March 1890. He came from a large family of twelve children, one of whom died. His parents were William and Ellen, nee Aldis, Poynts. His father was a carpenter working for Saxlingham Estate.
His siblings were
William born 3 February 1888
Charles born 1892
Ellen born 1895
Isaac born 14 December 1896
Albert born 18 January 1899
Edward born 1902
Cecil born 1 August 1903
Jonathan born 13 December 1906
Arthur born 15 March 1908
Leonard born 23 December 1909
The family lived on the Street, Saxlingham Nethergate.
In 1911 he was working as a horseman on a farm. His brother William was a regular in the Army and was based in India, Charles was a blacksmith’s apprentice in St Faiths, Norfolk and Isaac was a farm labourer.
George was baptised in St. Mary’s Church, Saxlingham, as an adult on 19 March 1911.George Albert Riches was baptised at the same time. He married George’s sister Ellen in 1913. He died from heatstroke in Bagdad in July 1917. Several of George Poyntz’s brothers and sister had been baptised in 1908.
George was a bell ringer at St Mary’s Church, Saxlingham.
This picture was taken outside the church in 1908 when the new bells were being installed.
He rang his first peal at Saxlingham on 13 October 1910. This was the first peal by an entirely local band on the new bells, which had been installed in 1908.
George, 1910, after ringing his first peal
By the outbreak of the First World War George had rung 28 peals and went on to ring 65 in his lifetime. After the war he became the Tower Captain and he held this post until the 1960s.
George enlisted in Norwich on 17 April 1915. He was 25 years old. He was 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighed 126 pounds. He lived in Saxlingham and had been working as a horseman. He was in the Army Service Corps, his number was R4/091240. He served in the Army Veterinary Corps, probably working with horses.
He served in England from 17 April 1915 till 6 June 1918. He was in France from 7 June 1918 till 12 January 1919.
On 24 November 1916 he married Florence Mary Roberts in Woolwich. Florence was a widow from Hapton, Norfolk. Her maiden name was Scrancher and her father was a railway labourer. She had married William Roberts, a farm labourer in 1910. She had son Archibald on 15 January 1911. Her husband died in the spring of 1912 and her daughter Florence was born on 4 August 1912.
After her marriage she lived at 12 Silverdale Road, Sydenham for a time.
Their daughter Ellen Mary was born 6 December 1917 in Norfolk.
Whilst George was serving in France he was taken ill with influenza. He was admitted to 5th Stationary Hospital at Dieppe on 30 November 1918. He had influenza, a bad cough, a pain in his side and expectoration. He was transferred to the 2nd Canadian Hospital and on 15 January 1919 was sent to England on HTS Brighton.
He was admitted to Lichfield Military Hospital on 16 January 1919 and spend the next 33 days there, He was discharged on 17 February 1919. He was diagnosed as having influenza and bronchopneumonia
He was discharged from the Army on 22 March 1919. On leaving he had a medical and it was said that his lungs were back to normal and recovered. He had served in the army for 3 years 340 days and 224 days had been in France
He returned to live in Saxlingham Nethergate. He and Florence had two more children, George Junior born 7 December 1920 and Cecil born 16 June 1924.
In 1939 they were living on The Street, Saxlingham Nethergate and George was working as a horseman on a farm. George Junior was living at home and worked as a cowman, Cecil was a farm labourer. Archibald Roberts his stepson was also living at the same address and he was also a farm labourer.
Florence Roberts was living with her maternal grandparents and uncle in Heigham and was working as a market gardener,
Ellen had married Arthur Timm in 1938 and they lived in Hethersett. She was working as a clothes machinist and he was a sawyer.
George and Florence lived for the rest of their lives in the village and he was involved in bell ringing.
George (Date unknown)
Florence (Date unknown).
George died on 25 September 1972. He is buried with his wife in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church, Saxlingham Nethergate.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
British Army Medal Roll Index cards, 1914-1920
1939 Register- www.findmypast.co.uk
Norfolk Electoral Rolls-Southern Division Saxlingham Nethergate and Thorpe, (Absent Voters Lists 1918-1920)
British Army Service Records
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan Baptismal Records, Saxlingham Nethergate.
St Mary’s Church Saxlingham Marriage records (transcribed by Mary Muir)
Young Family Tree- photographs of George and Florence in later life. www.ancestry.co.uk
Information about bell ringing courtesy of Jeff Fox as part of his research into Saxlingham bell ringers. Information from Bell News, The Ringing World and Norfolk Diocesan Ringing Association Annual Reports.
The photographs of the Peal Band and Installation of Bells are in the Ringing Chamber of St. Mary’s Church.
UK and Ireland, Find a Grave Index, 1300s-current
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person, please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk