Born at Stroud in 1889 to James and Mary, George was the youngest of 4 children. .
Working as a farmer, George enlisted in Newcastle with the 3rd Reinforcements, 30th Battalion on the 28th of August 1915, aged 25 years and 11 months.
The 30th Battalion was formed in early August 1915 at Liverpool, NSW from men mainly from NSW, with a large contingent of recruits from Newcastle. Arriving in Egypt at the beginning of 1916, the battalion was assigned to the 5th Division on arrival during the restructure of the AIF battalions that had returned from Gallipoli.
On the 11th of December 1915, the 3rd Reinforcements embarked aboard the ‘HMAT Ballarat’ in Sydney, arriving at the port of Suez on the 16th of February 1916. Just north of Cairo and to the east of Heliopolis is the Imperial School of Instruction at Zeitoun. The 3rd Reinforcements arrived at Zeitoun on the 22nd of March and trained with the 8th Training Battalion before joining the 30th Battalion on the 1st of April 1916, coming on strength on the 8th of April.
George was admitted to the 15th Field Ambulance on the 22nd of May and then transferred to the 8th Field Ambulance with influenza on the 22nd of May 1916. He was discharged back to his unit on the 25th of May. On the 16th of June 1916 the 30th Battalion embarked ‘HMAT Hororata’ at Alexandria, arriving at Marseilles on the 23rd of March.
The bloody initiation for the Australians of the 5th Division commenced on the 19th of July, known as the Battle of Fromelles. Together with the British 61st Division, the 5th was ordered to attack strongly fortified German front line positions near the Aubers Ridge in French Flanders. The 30th Battalion were initially tasked with a support role carrying ammunition to the assault troops but were later committed to the fighting as the situation deteriorated for the Australians.
The attack was intended as a feint to hold German reserves from moving south to the Somme where a large Allied offensive had begun at the beginning of that month. The feint was a disastrous failure. Australian and British soldiers assaulted over open ground in broad daylight and under direct observation and heavy fire from the German lines. Over 5,500 Australians became casualties. Almost 2,000 of them were killed in action or died of wounds and some 400 were captured. This is believed to be the greatest loss by a single division in 24 hours during the entire First World War. Some consider Fromelles the most tragic event in Australia’s history.
George was “Killed in Action” during this battle on the 31st of July 1916. His remains were buried at the Rue-Petition Miliary Cemetery, Fleurbaix, 2 ¾ miles east of Laventie and 4 miles SW of Armentures.
Being single, George listed his mother Mary Elizabeth Gemon of Beatties Island Road, Gloucester as his next of kin. She received his personal belonging consisting of a Testament, Pocket wallet, Letters, Card, 2 Photos. Fortunately, George’s brother Henry (Harry), who also served with the 19th Battalion returned to the family.
