"GOD AND ST.GEORGE"

PRIVATE NORMAN FRANK PERKINS

SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY

9TH APRIL 1917 AGE 19

BURIED: POINT DU JOUR MILITARY CEMETERY, ATHIES, FRANCE


Before Shakespeare had King Henry V cry 'God for Harry, England and St George', medieval knights used the phrase 'God and St George' as an oath, a dedication, a battlecry and a blessing. 'For God and St George' was also the title of a patriotic song composed by Reginald Stoneham and published in 1914. Unfortunately, although I can see that this song exists I cannot find the words to it anywhere on the Internet. I suspect that that says something about its quality!
Private Perkins was killed on the 9 April 1917, the first day of the battle of Arras, in an assault on the German redoubt at Point-du-Jour close to Athies.