FINLEY, GERARD JAMES
Rank:
Service No:
Date of Death:
Age:
Regiment/Service:
Grave Reference:
Text on stone:
Rank:
Service No:
Date of Death:
Age:
Regiment/Service:
Grave Reference:
Text on stone:
Private
4543881
24/09/1944
31
Monmouthshire Regiment 2nd Bn.
I. C. 5.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember him
R.I.P.
Additional Information:
Son of John William and Mary Finley; husband of Isobel Finley.
Gerard was born on 28-03-1913. His wife Isobel married Gerard, his brother, after his death. Finley was initially buried at Voorheide, Belgium.
Initial gravesite at Voorheide.
From the service records of Gerrard James Finley, the following account can be reconstructed.
Gerrard James Finley was born on 28 March 1913 in Benwell, Newcastle, Yorkshire. In civilian life he worked as a paint sprayer. He enlisted in the British Army on 24 June 1940 and joined the West Yorkshire Regiment.
He married Isobel Imray on 6 January 1938 in Windsor. The couple had one child.
His overseas service included a posting to the Falkland Islands from 14 June 1942 until 16 March 1944.
Gerrard James Finley embarked for service in North West Europe on 27 June 1944. During this period he was transferred to the South Staffordshire Regiment on 10 June 1944, to the Norfolk Regiment on 14 August 1944, and later to the South Wales Borderers / Monmouthshire Regiment on 26 August 1944.
According to his service records, he was 5 feet 2¼ inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes.
Gerrard James Finley was killed in action on 24 September 1944.
