GEORGE JERAM
The available information for George Jeram is insufficient for a positive identification to be made as there were two people with this name, and within the possible age range for service, living in Portsmouth at the 1911 Census. One would have been just 15 years of age in 1915 when the National Roll suggests he enlisted, and the other was 39 years. Although neither would have been typical recruits for 1915, neither can be ruled out solely on the grounds of age. It was by no means uncommon for young lads to lie about their age and even someone as old as 39 would still have been accepted.
In order to make a judgement as to which was the more likely the only evidence that clearly distinguished between them is their address in 1911. The name of George Jeram appears on the All Saints WW1 memorial so it would be reasonable to assume that he lived within the parish boundary. The younger man was living at 2 Napier Road, Southsea which was well outside the parish whilst the older man lived at 5, Binsteed Road, Buckland, still just outside the parish but a great deal closer than Southsea. The latter therefore seems to be the most probable candidate.
Whichever he was, George Jeram volunteered in August 1915 and was sent to the Western Front in April 1916. He survived six months of fighting before being killed on The Somme on the 15th September 1916, probably in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission list Private George Jeram (19422), 15th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, died 15/09/1916. Buried in Bulls Road Cemetery, Flers.
George Jeram is remembered on the All Saints Church WW1 memorial and the Cenotaph. He is listed in the 'National Roll of the Great War' Section X, p. 121, which gave his address as 61 Surrey Street, Landport.
Tim Backhouse
December 2013