ORPWOOD, George Witham
| Service Number: | 763 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 October 1914, Enlisted at Nagambie, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 46th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Nagambie, Victoria, Australia, 1894 |
| Home Town: | Nagambie, Strathbogie, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Grocer Assistant |
| Died: | Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, October 1960, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Bendigo Public Cemetery, Victoria Grave 39255 interred on 3 October 1960 |
| Memorials: | Nagambie War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Oct 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 763, 14th Infantry Battalion, Enlisted at Nagambie, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Dec 1914: | Embarked Private, 763, 14th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ulysses, Melbourne | |
| 22 Dec 1914: | Involvement Private, 763, 14th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ulysses embarkation_ship_number: A38 public_note: '' | |
| 10 Aug 1915: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 763, 14th Infantry Battalion, Wound to the right wrist | |
| 3 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Corporal, 46th Infantry Battalion, From 14th Battalion | |
| 30 Sep 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Corporal, 763, 46th Infantry Battalion, Second occasion, remained on duty | |
| 4 Oct 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, On 29th September, 1917, near Westhoek Sergeant Orpwood sustained a painful shell wound in the face but refused to be evacuated. Immediately afterwards he voluntarily, went out to repair a broken telephone line. While on this work a heavy enemy artillery fire was opened on the Sector and at great risk to himself he completed the work despite his wounds and re-established communications. Again on 1st October, 1917, he again went out under similar heavy fire and though very badly shaken he completed the work before returning. His courage and devotion to duty was a fine example to the Signal Section he commanded. Commonwealth Gazette No. 31 on 7 March 1918 | |
| 30 Mar 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 763, 46th Infantry Battalion, Discharged at the 3rd Military District |
Help us honour George Witham Orpwood's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Carol Foster
Son of Richard Orpwood and Mary Jane Orpwood nee McGorlick of 'Roseville', Nagambie, Victoria.
Brother of Anthony Matthew Orpwood who returned to Australia on 11 October 1918 having served with the 37th Battalion; Richard Aloysius Orpwood who died of wounda on 2 July 1918 while serving with the 46th Battalion and is buried in the Crouy British Cemetery, Plot 111, Row C, Grave 27
On 9 November 1918 George married Grace Dorothy Kathleen Annesley in St. Francis Cahtolic Church, West Ham, London, England. A. Sayer officiated. Grace arrived in Australia on 11 October 1919 aboard HMT Main.
Commenced return to Australia on 14 December 1918 aboard HT Burmah disembarking on 29 January 1919
Medals: Military Medal, 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
In 1934c George was employed with the State Electricity Commission, Benalla.