George Wistlecraft
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known 1890 |
| Place of Birth | Tavistock, England |
| Death | 28 Dec 1954, aged 64 |
| Place of Death | Bunbury, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 25years, 4 months |
| Description |
5'7¼" (1.72m) tall ; 124 lbs 56.245 kg ; sallow complexion ; grey eyes ; dark hair |
| Occupation | Timber feller |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Mary Jane Bickle |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 8274 |
| Date of Enlistment | 15 Sep 1915 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 6th Field Artillery Brigade, 17th Battery |
| Date of Embarkation | 24 Nov 1915 ‒ 21 Dec 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A59 Botanist |
| Date of Return | 6 May 1919 ‒ 9 Jun 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Kaiser-i-hind |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Had served previously in the Royal Navy.
Electoral Roll entry - 1916 Jarrahdale Bush Landing, faller
War Service
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 15 Sep 1915 and as he was allocated to Artillery, he travelled to Melbourne to complete his training. On 16 Oct 1915 he was posted to the 6th Field Artillery Brigade's 17th Battery, travelling with them to Egypt where on 17 Mar 1916 he embarked on HMT Eboe for Marseilles, disembarking on 23 Mar 1916.
On 28 Jun 1916 in France George was charged with neglecting to obey an order on 22 Jun 1916, for which he was awarded 4 days Field Punishment No.2. Granted leave in the UK, he was absent from his battery from 29 Aug until 13 Sep 1917.
On 8 Nov 1917 he was treated by the 8th Field Ambulance for an undefined infection, being passed on to the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station on the next day, and then the 14th General Hospital in Boulogne the same day. Following treatment he was released to the 1st Convalescent Depot on 20 Nov 1917 and the 3rd Rest Camp on 26 Nov 1918. On 10 Dec 1917 he rejoined his battery.
Granted leave in the UK again from 14 - 30 Oct 1918, on his return he was admitted to hospital on 5 Nov 1918 with Influenza, passing through the hands of the 8th Field Ambulance, the 44th Stationary Hospital and the 1st Australian General Hospital in Rouen. On recovering he rejoined his battery on 3 Dec 1918, until he left France to begin the journey home on 17 Feb 1919. Once home, he was discharged by 5th Military District on 1 Aug 1919.
Post War
In 1926 George married Daisy Elsie May Harper in Fremantle. Daisy died 9 Feb 1970 at Bunbury Electoral Roll entries - 1922 - 1937 Tweed road, Bridgetown, farmer;
Notes
George is listed as Wistlecraft in his attestation form, however he is listed as Whistlecroft in both the AIF Project and RSL Virtual War Memorial