George Wales McGillivray
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Not known |
| Place of Birth | Glasgow, Scotland |
| Age at Enlistment | 28 years, 7 months |
| Description |
5'9¼" tall ; 162lbs 73.482 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; dark hair |
| Occupation | Farrier |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Kenwick, via Maddington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr James McGillivray |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1017 |
| Date of Enlistment | 26 Jul 1915 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation | 32nd Battalion, C Company, transferred to 14th FAB, 53rd Battery, and 5th DAC |
| Date of Embarkation | 18 Nov 1915 ‒ 18 Dec 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A2 Geelong Adelaide to Port Suez, arrived 14 Dec 1915 |
| Date of Return | 8 May 1919 ‒ 15 Jun 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Devanha |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
George had learnt his trade apprenticed to his father.
War Service
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 26 Jul 1915, and on 16 Aug 1915 George was allocated to the newly formed 32nd Battalion's C Company which meant that he concluded his Australian training in Adelaide. He travelled to Egypt, and on 12 Jan 1916 was in need of medical attention at Ferry Post on the Suez Canal. Transferred to 2nd Australian General Hospital at Ghezireh on 18 Jan 1916 with orchitis he was released on 9 Feb 1916 to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, and then to duty on 24 Feb 1916 - total ineffective period with Venereal Disease being 43 days.
On 15 Mar 1916 as part of the re-organised AIF, George was posted to the 14th Field Artillery Brigade's 53rd Battery. On 22 Mar 1916 at Ferry Post, George was made a Shoe Smith, and on 14 Apr 1916 promoted to Corporal Shoe Smith. On 25 May 1916 George was transferred to the 5th Division Ammunition Column where on 16 Aug 1916 he was promoted Farrier Sergeant. Transferred again on 25 Jan 1917, this time to the 12th Field Artillery Brigade's 46th Battery.
George was admitted to the 7th Convalescent Depot in Boulogne on 4 Jul 1917 with Venereal Disease. Discharged to duty at Base Details on 17 Aug 1917 from the 39th General Hospital in Le Havre ( total ineffective period 45 days). On 8 Sep 1917 he had rejoined his unit, remaining with them until 8 May 1919.
On 4 Feb 1918 George faced a Field General Court Martial, charged with "When on Active Service absenting himself without leave, in that he in the field on 20 Jan 1918 was absent without leave from 9:00pm 20 Jan 1918 till 7:00pm on 21 Jan 1918." Found guilty he forfeited 20 day's pay plus that for the 13 days awaiting trial - total forfeiture 33 day's pay. His records contain the cover sheet for another Court Martial held on 5 Jun 1918, with the finding being Not Guilty - no charge is recorded.
On 21 Aug 1918 he reported sick and was placed in hospital until 7 Sep 1918. George returned to his unit on 20 Sep 1918. George was discharged by the 5th Military District on 14 Aug 1919.
Post War
Notes
George does not appear on any Electoral roll, and no marriage is registered in WA.