View source for George Chistopher Dalziell DCM

{{infobox soldier
| image           =[[File:Dalziell_George_Christopher.jpg|border|400px]]
| caption         =
| image2          =[[File:Dalziell_Bros_WE-GC-ER.jpg|border|400px]]
| caption2        = from left Walter, George, Ernest
| dateofbirth	  = 27 Sep 1896
| placeofbirth	  = Perth, Western Australia
| death	          = 22 Nov 1986, aged 90
| placeofdeath	  = Beverley, Western Australia
| enlistmentage	  = 18 years, 9 months
| description	  = 
| height          = 5'7¼" (1.71m) tall' weight 143lbs; fair complexion, blue eyes, medium hair
| weight          = 
| complexion      = 
| eyes            = 
| hair            = 
| descriptionnote = 
| occupation	  = Basket maker
| religion	  = Methodist
| address	  = Attfield street, Maddington, Western Australia
| relation	  = Father 
| nextofkin       = Mr Walter Parahan Dalziell
| regnumber	  = [https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3485249 2626]
| enlistmentdate  = 17 Jun 1915
| rank	          = Sergeant
| unit     	  = 16th Battalion, 8th Reinforcements
| embarkationdatefrom = 2 Sep 1915
| embarkationdateto = ?? Sep 1915
| shipembarked	  = [[HMAT A68 Anchises]]
| dateofreturnfrom = 28 Feb 1919
| dateofreturnto  = 7 Apr 1919
| shipreturned    = [[HMAT A68 Anchises]]
| shipreturnednote = disembarked in Albany
| dateofreturnfrom2 = 
| dateofreturnto2  = 
| shipreturned2    = 
| shipreturnednote2 =
| fate1	          = Wounded in action 10 Aug 1916 Poziéres
| fate2           = Wounded in action 11 Apr 1917 1st Bullecourt
| fate3           = Returned to Australia
| fate4           =
| monument1	  = Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll
| monumentnote1   =
| monument2	  = 
| monumentnote2   =
| monument3	  = 
| monumentnote3   =
| monument4	  = 
| monumentnote4   =
| monumentawm     =
| medal1	  = Distinguished Conduct Medal
| medal2          = 1914-15 Star
| medal3          = British War Medal 
| medal4          = Victory Medal
}}



==Pre War==
The second of eight children born to Walter Parkham Dalziell and Lillie Jane Capron. George was engaged as a basket maker prior to enlistment and had been serving in the 88th (Perth) Infantry unit.

==War Service==
On 2 Sep 1915 George, along with the rest of the 8th reinforcements to the 16th Battalion sailed from Fremantle aboard [[HMAT A68 Anchises]] on 2 Sep 1915 for Egypt. Following some training he sailed from Alexandria for Gallipoli on 18 Oct 1915 aboard [[HMT Kalyan]]. Taken on strength by the [[16th Battalion]] on 23 Oct 1915 at Mudros on Lemnos Island where they were resting and rebuilding. They returned to Gallipoli on 31 Oct 1915, before entering the line on Aghyl Dere. George was appointed Lance Corporal on 9 Nov 1915 in the field. On 11 Dec 1915, two days before the first snow fell, George was in need of medical help and the next day boarded [[SS Oxfordshire]] (then operating as a Hospital Ship) for Egypt where on 15 Dec 1915 he was admitted to the [[3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital]] suffering with diarrhoea. Released to a base depot in Ghezireh on 22 Dec 1915 he was held there until he travelled to Zeitoun on 5 Feb 1916 to rejoin his unit, which he finally did on 9 Mar 1916. He was promoted to Corporal on 22 Mar 1916.



On 1 Jun 1916 the battalion sailed from Alexandria aboard [[HMT Canada]] for Marseilles, arriving there on 9 Jun 1916.  On 9 Aug 1916 the 16th Battalion moved into the front lines at Poziéres and at midnight attacked and took possession of Circular Trench mid way between Poziéres and Mouquet Farm. The German reaction to losing this strategic ground was to carry out an extremely intense artillery bombardment of the area. George was wounded on 10 Aug 1916, the wound being recorded as shell shock, and he spent three days in the care of the [[7th Field Ambulance]] before being sent to the 1st Anzac Rest Station for a few days after which he rejoined the battalion on 15 Aug 1916.



Wounded in action again on 11 Apr 1917 during the 1st Bullecourt battle, seemingly quite minor in nature as he rejoined the battalion on 19 Apr 1917. George was promoted Temporary Sergeant on 6 Jun 1917, before being detached to the [[4th Training Battalion]] at Codford in England on 3 Oct 1917 having successfully attended a course at the Southern Command Bomb School at Lyndhurst - qualifying as an Instructor. Between 31 Dec 1917 and 19 Jan 1918 George attended a Drill  course in Chelsea, and on 31 Mar 1918 he proceeded to France through Dover to rejoin his battalion on 11 Apr 1918. George had another stint as an instructor from 7 Sep 1918 until 27 Sep 1918, this time with the 4th Army Infantry School. On 29 Jan 1919 he returned to England from France and on 28 Feb 1919 he departed for Australia aboard the [[HMAT A68 Anchises]].



George was discharged by the 5th Military District on 3 Jun 1919. During WW2 George enlisted in the 2nd (Fremantle) VDC Battalion and was a Warrant Officer Class 2 at time of his discharge.

==Award Comment==
The nomination is more effusive than the final award:
<blockquote>This Non-Commissioned Officer is brought to notice for continuous gallant work during the period 17 September 1918 - 31 December 1918. Prior to this Battalion's attack against Le Verguier on 18th September 1918 he was entrusted with the duty as Patrol leader and after under most difficult and dangerous circumstances, he obtained very reliable information as to the enemy dispositions which proved invaluable and helped materially in the success of the operation, in which he took part.  Again on a previous occasion - August 8th, 1918, when the battalion attacked near Mericourt on the Somme, his work was very fine and daring, and his powers of leadership had great scope as his Platoon Commander was wounded very early in the operation. He took command of the Platoon, and setting a very fine example, led his men to  their objective with a minimum of loss.  His fine spirit, command and cheerfulness has been a  great asset and an example and inspiration to the men of his Company.  He is strongly recommended for distinction.<ref>https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1582780</ref></blockquote>

The final award read:
<blockquote>'For gallantry during the period 17 September to 31 December, 1918. Prior to the attack against Le Verguier, on 18 September, when acting as patrol leader, he obtained very reliable information as to the enemy positions, which proved invaluable, and helped materially in the success of the operation, in which he took part. He then led his men to their objective with a minimum of loss.'<ref> Commonwealth Gazette dated 20 June 1920, page 829 position 22</ref><ref>London Gazette 11 Mar 1920 page 3129, position 7</ref><ref>https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1529647</ref></blockquote>


==Post War==
In 1921 George married Laura Shepherd in Maddington. Laura died on 30 Jul 1071, aged 74.
During WW2 George served from 12 Jan 11942 until 5 Mar 1946 as a Warrant Officer Class 2 in the 2nd Battalion, Volunteer Defence Corps.
Electoral Roll entries: 1925 - 1943 Attfield street Maddington, wicker-worker;  1958 - 1977 at 6 Olga road, Maddington wicker-maker; 1980 70 Comer street, Como.
==Notes==
<references />

==External Links==

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dalziell, George Christopher}}

[[Category:Soldier]]
[[Category:Born Australia]]
[[Category:Born WA]]
[[Category:Methodist]]
[[Category:Wicker worker]]
[[Category:1916 WIA]]
[[Category:1917 WIA]]
[[Category:Returned to Australia]]
[[Category:Gosnells]]