George Scrivener
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known |
| Place of Birth | Jindivik, Victoria |
| Death | 20 Sep 1917 |
| Place of Death | Ypres Salient, Belgium |
| Age at Enlistment | 24 years, 10 months |
| Description | 5'9½" (1.77m) tall; weight 157 lbs (71.2kg); sallow complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair. |
| Occupation | mill hand |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr Walter Scrivener |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 4070 |
| Date of Enlistment | 14 Sep 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement to D Company / 3rd Brigade, 1st Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 Nov 1915 - 21 Dec 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | RMS Mongolia |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 27 Feb 1917 Killed in Action 20 Sep 1917 Menin Road |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale War Memorial Menin Gate Memorial |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
Joined 11th Battalion in Habieta Egypt on 2 Mar 1916 and departed Alexandria on 29 Mar 1916 for Marseilles, arriving on 5 Apr 1916 aboard HMT Corsican.
On 26 Feb 1917 the 11 Battalion relieved the 9th Battalion in the line at Bazentin le Petit. An entry in the battalion War Diary lists the 7 men killed, and 27 wounded by shell fire on the 26th and 27th, and George's name is amongst them. His wound was a severe one to his right knee.
Treated first by the 1st Australian Field Ambulance and then a British Casualty Clearing Station, on 28 Feb he had reached the 8th Stationary Hospital in Wimereux, France. On 2 Mar 1917 he is evacuated to England through Boulogne aboard HMHS St Andrew. On arrival in England he was admitted to the 1st Southern General Hospital in Edgbaston.
Granted furlough from 20 Mar to 4 Apr 1917, he reported to the Overseas Training Battalion in Codford before again proceeding overseas to France on 20 Jul 1917, this time via Southampton. He rejoined the 11th Battalion on 8 Aug 1917 at Staple where they are training in preparation for re-entering the front lines.
On 20 Sep 1917 the 11th Battalion was a part of the attacking force on the German lines in Belgium opposite Polygon Wood that was to become known as the Battle of Menin Road. George was one of what was described in terms of "Considering the operation our losses were remarkably light." Australian casualties numbered 5,013 for the day. As many were caused by artillery, and this was but the first of a number of major battles in this area over the next month, there is no known grave for George. Thus he is memorialised on the Menin Road Gate Memorial.
Notes