Private, 42013, George Mavor (32) – Lost at Sea

Royal Army Medical Corps, 26 February 1918

Cap Badge of the Royal Army Medical Corps, similar to the one worn by George Mavor.

Synopsis of Life and Military Service

George Mavor was born on 7 June 1883 at 9 High Street, Dysart, Fife, Scotland, to Peter Mavor and Margaret Grey or Mavor, who he had married in January that same year. George was one of several brothers, three of whom also served during the First World War: Private Peter Mavor and Private John Mavor, both with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, and David Mavor, a Private in the Army Service Corps.

According to the 1901 Census, the Mavor family were living at 15 Forth Street, Dysart.

George’s early inclination toward service began long before the First World War. His Militia attestation record shows that he first joined the 3rd Battalion, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), as Private, No. 8267, on 23 July 1901 at Kirkcaldy, aged 18 years and 3 months. At that time, he was employed as a baker, single and living at Forth Street, Dysart. His physical description recorded him as:-

Height: 5′ 5″.
Weight: 117lbs.
Chest: 33″.
Complexion: Fresh.
Eyes: Blue.
Hair: Red.
Religion: Presbyterian.
Marks and Scars: Scar on the tip of his right elbow.

A short time later, on 13 August 1901, he enlisted into the regular army under a Short Service engagement, becoming Private No. 8333. Initially attached to the 2nd Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch), he was posted to the 1st Battalion on 1 November 1902 and promoted to Lance-Corporal on 3 December 1902. However, his military career was cut short having served his whole time in the United Kingdom, when he was found medically unfit for further service and was discharged at Edinburgh on 20 July 1903. His intended address at that time was 45 The Cross, Dysart, Fife. His discharge papers recorded a birthmark on the back of his right leg and buttock, confirmed that he was of good conduct, and noted that he held a 3rd Class Certificate of Education.

In 1910, George married Maggie Birrell Gourlay in the district of Kirkcaldy and Abbotshall. By the 1911 Census, the couple were living at 25 West March Street, Dysart, where George was employed as a dairyman’s van man with the Pathhead and Sinclair Co-operative Society. Maggie was at home caring for their first child (Mary, aged 1). The household also included two boarders: Robert Gourlay, a builder, and William Gourlay, a cabinet maker.

Over a decade later, when war broke out in 1914, George once again answered the call to serve. Motivated by his continuing sense of duty and an interest in medical and ambulance work, he enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) in October 1914. His diligence and capability led to his assignment on a hospital ship serving in an operational role from 9 January 1915, chiefly assisting in the operating room. His dedication earned high praise from his superiors and comrades alike during his three years of deployment.

Loss of the Hospital Ship Glenart Castle

On 26 February 1918, while serving aboard the hospital ship Glenart Castle, which was travelling from Newport, Wales to Brest, France to pick up casualties, George lost his life when the vessel was torpedoed by the German U-boat UC-56 in the Bristol Channel. Despite being clearly marked as a hospital ship and operating within a declared “free area,” the Glenart Castle was sunk in violation of international law.

Of the 182 people aboard, including medical officers, nursing sisters, RAMC personnel, and crew, only 29 survived. Among the missing were eight nurses, whose deaths caused widespread outrage across Britain. The Bishop of London declared:

“The cries of drowning nurses will echo in our ears forever and could well brand us as a nation of cowards if we ever cease to strive that such appalling wickedness may be made impossible for all time.”

George was 34 years old.

HMHS Glenart Castle. The vessel in which George Mavor lost his life.

Georges body was never recovered and as a result, he is honoured and remembered on the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton.

His wife was sole legate of his estate and pension.

The Fifeshire Advertiser

Extract from the above publication dated Saturday 09 March 1918 :-

Lost at Sea

Mrs Mavor, 25 West March Street, Sinclair town has received a telegram from the War Office intimating that her husband Private George Mavor, R.A.M.C., who was on board the hospital ship, Glenart Castle, was reported missing, and believed drowned on 26th February. This sad news has since been confirmed by a letter from a chum, who states that Pte Mavor went down with the vessel. The deceased who was 34 years of age, was for many years a vanman with Pathhead and Sinclairtown Reform Co-Operative Society. Keenly interested in ambulance work, he enlisted in the RAMC in October 1914, and had for fully three years been engaged on an hospital ship, chiefly in the operating room, his work giving great satisfaction to his superiors. He leaves a widow and three children, for whom, as well as his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Mavor, 12 Alexander Street, Dysart, much sympathy is expressed. Of a singularly happy and cheery disposition, he was well known and highly esteemed in both Kirkcaldy and Dysart, and a general regret is felt at his death. He was home on leave only a week before his demise. One of his brothers gave his life for his country early in the war, another is a prisoner in Germany, and the youngest brother is serving in France.

Memorial to the Crew of the Hospital Ship Glenart Castle © Dave Blackmore-Heal (WMR-52263) IWM.

Family

George Mavor was born on 7 June 1883 at 9 High Street, Dysart, Fife, Scotland. The following family information is taken from the 1891, 1901 and 1911 Census, Service Records and Pension Cards.

His family is shown as follows :-

Daughter: Mary Simpson Mavor, born 18 April 1910.
Son: Peter Black Mavor, born 11 March 1912.
Daughter: Margaret Gray Birrell Mavor, born 7 March 1914.
Father: Peter Mavor, born c.1862 at Kinghorn, Fife. (Stone Mason)
Mother: Margaret Grey or Mavor, born c.1865 at Largoward, Fife.
Brother: George, born c.1884 at Largoward, Fife.
Sister: Annie, born c.1885 at Largoward, Fife. (Stationary Shop Assistant)
Brother: Alexander, born c.1887 at Largoward, Fife. (Pit Pony Driver)
Brother: Peter, born c.1888 at Largoward, Fife.
Brother: John, born c.1893 at Dysart, Fife.
Brother: David, c.1898 at Dysart, Fife.

Addresses

The following addresses have been ascertained from the 1891, 1901, 1911 Census, Pension Card and his Service Records for George Mavor :-

1891: 9 High Street, Dysart, Fife.
1901: 15 Forth Street, Dysart, Fife.
1903: 45 The Cross, Dysart, Fife.
1911: 25 West March Street, Sinclairtown, Kirkcaldy, Fife.
1918: 25 West March Street, Sinclairtown, Kirkcaldy, Fife.

Medals

George Mavor was awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory and the British War Medals for his service in the Great War.

Memorials

George Mavor is honoured and remembered on the following memorials :-

St. Andrews Ambulance Association, First Foreign Service Unit, Glasgow.
Hollybrook War Memorial, Southampton.
Scottish National War Memorial.
Hospital Ship Glenart Castle Memorial, Hartland, Devon.

Remarks

Following his death, his widow was awarded payment for their three children until their 16th birthdays. This was awarded on 20 September 1918 and paid weekly.

Links to Additional Information