George William Liddington
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 29 Nov 1896 |
| Place of Birth | Pinjarra, Western Australia |
| Death | 11 Nov 1932 |
| Place of Death | Noggerup, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 19 years, 10 months |
| Description |
5'5" (1.65m) tall ; 132lbs 59.874 kg ; dark complexion ; blue eyes ; dark hair |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | East Cannington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr John James Liddington |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | [413] |
| Date of Enlistment | 22 Sep 1914 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Battalion, C Company |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 Dec 1914 ‒ 1 Feb 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A40 Ceramic Melbourne to Alexandria |
| Date of Return | 17 Jun 1918 ‒ 8 Aug 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | HMT Matatua |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | none as yet |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
An original member of the 16th Battalion who undertook training at Blackboy Hill camp in WA before travelling with his battalion to the Broadmeadows camp in Victoria before travelling to Egypt. On 12 Apr 1916 he travelled with the Battalion to Mudros and then Gallipoli. Back in Egypt he was transferred to the battalion's Transport Section before travelling to France from Alexandria on 1 Jun 1916 aboard HMT Canada arriving in Marseilles on 7 Jun 1916.
In France on 17 Oct 1916 George was charged with (1) "Cruelty to a mule' and (2) Insolence to his superior officer on 16/10/16". Awarded 28 days Field Punishment No.1. On 2 Mar 1917 George was ill with diarrhoea. Seen by the 3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station on 3 Mar 1917, he was admitted to the 3rd Stationary Hospital in Rouen on 8 Mar 1917. Released to the 2nd Convalescent Depot on 8 Mar 1917, he returned to duty on 27 Mar 1917. George rejoined his battalion on 13 Apr 1917 and was with them continuously until 19 Feb 1918 when he was granted leave in the UK. He rejoined the battalion on 1 Mar 1918, and on 10 Jun 1918 he was sent back to England for Special Transport Duty to Australia where he was discharged by 5th Military District on 12 Sep 1918.
Post War
Casually employed by the Western Australian Government Railways from 25 May 1922 to 8 Oct 1929. Employed full time by them from 4 Nov 1929 until 11 Nov 1932. Injured in an accident on 25 Nov 1926, resulting in 20% disability. Final employment location at time of his death in 1932 was Noggerup.
BURNED TO DEATHPetrol Ignites After Crash
CYCLYST'S CLOTHES CATCH ON FIRE
George William Liddington (about 30), a railway fettler, of Noggerup, died in Pinjarra Hospital today from burns received last night when the motor cycle he was riding crashed and the petrol ignited. Following his usual custom, Liddington was making a trip to Perth for the week-end. When near Coolup, on the Perth-Bunbury-road, the motor cycle skidded 34 feet in loose gravel, and crashed. Liddington became entangled in the machine, and before he could escape the petrol ignited and the flames spread to his clothes. He was severely burned about the lower portion of his body. Liddington was found in the roadside at 8 p.m. in a critical condition by Mr. Stacey, a passing motorist, who conveyed him to Pinjarra Hospital. He died from his burns later.[1]
"DEATH FROM BURNSTRAGIC CASE FROM COOLUP
Sequel to Motor Cycle Accident
George William Liddington (about 30), single, a railway fettler, of Noggerup, died in the Pinjarra Hospital shortly before midnight on Friday from burns sustained through his clothing catching fire after his motor cycle had skidded in some loose gravel and ignited. A report of the accident states that Liddington was travelling northwards along the Perth-Bunbury-road near Coolup at the time, and his machine skidded a distance of 34ft. His clothing was burnt off the lower portion of his body, and severe burns were sustained.
A passerby named Stacey found him about 8 o'clock in the evening, and two Coolup residents, Messrs. Fairweather and Weir, conveyed him to the Pinjarra Hospital, where he died about four hours later.[2]
Notes
Brother of William Wilfred Gerald Liddington, known as 'Sparrow'.