George Angrave's surviving army records show that he joined the 18th battalion of the Notts and Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) on 15 November 1915, giving his age as 19. He was discharged 10 days later, having 'mis-stated age on enlistment' (Para 392 (VI)a, King's Regulations).  According to family tradition, the army's informant as to George's true age (17) was his mother.

Almost immediately after his 18th birthday (February 1916) he joined the 9th Division of the Highland Light Infantry. This medal roll shows that he was later part of the 2nd and then the 6th Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers.