George Henry Lury was born on the 16 April 1897 in Nikolayev, Russia in an area which is now part of the Ukraine. the son of Peter and Jane Lury the family like many other Russian Jews most likely left Russia to escape persecution which was common in the 'Vale of Russia', an area in Russia where Jews were allowed to live in at that time.
After finishing Auckland Grammar school he worked as a clerk at Auckland Harbour Board. When he enlisted on the 28 December 1914 he was only 17 years and 8 months but despite his young age he embarked for Gallipoli with the Auckland Infantry Battalion on the 17 April 1915 and rose quickly through the ranks finally made a 2nd Lieutenant when he was only 20 years old. He suffered shell shock at Gallipoli and after he had completed his officer training he was granted leave back to New Zealand. On 9 May 1918 he embarked again with the Auckland Infantry Battalion and joined his battalion in France at the beginning of August 1918. A short time after he was killed in action at the Battle of Bapaume on the 29 August 1918. He is buried at Grevillers British Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France and is remember on the family tombstone in Waikumete Cemetery, Glen Eden, Auckland.
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