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Private George Every's story   4491

George Every received multiple gun shot wounds to the face, thigh and hand on August 15, 1916 at the battle for Mouquet Farm, between Pozieres and Albert, in Northern France

Corporal Arthur Thomas in the same 6th battalion wrote of this day in his war diary…

Friday August 15 – "At 3am after breakfast on a moonlight morning, we moved away up here to supports, about 6 miles from Albert and 2 miles from Pozieres. There is no doubt we are pushing the Huns back. Passed 14 prisoners on the way up, real square heads, pale looking chaps, big strong brutes. Every night we are chasing ‘em back with the usual heavy casualties. God, how they shelled this position, it is frightful. God is cursing the Germans, but every inch of the ground has to be fought for,every fearful inch. Coming up we passed a lot of wounded, so early in the morning it has a bloody rotten effect on us all".

George Every from Bosquet st, White Hills enlisted with the AIF joining on July 16, 1916. He was 21 years of age and listed his occupation as a Carpenter after serving a four year apprenticeship with J.N Taylor. (later we read he worked as a carpenter at the Bendigo Advertiser) His father was W.H Every and he had elder brothers in Frederick and Frank.

George would be enlisted in the 14th reinforcements for the AIF 6th battalion. The 6th Battalion was recruited from Victoria, drawing from Melbourne and the surrounding suburbs to the north. The battalion had earlier taken part in the landing at Anzac Cove and was digging in on the cliffs of the Gallipoli peninsula when George signed on in July 1915.

George and fellow recruits would have been expecting to join the 6th in this theatre of war however, by the time he would leave Australia all of the AIF troops had been withdrawn from the Gallipoli peninsula to regroup and rebuild in the Egypt. George would embark from Port Melbourne on HMAT Themistocles on February 28, 1916 landing in Alexandria, Egypt in late March.

Another sea journey would have George disembarking in Marsailles, Southern France on April 6, 1916 and from here he and other new recruits would commence a long slow train journey through the heart of France, arriving at the AIF depot on July 8. George would be TOS ‘Taken on strength’ and join the fighting with his fellow 6th Battalion at the terrible battle for Pozieres, in northern France. 

After Pozieres the 6th battalion marched towards Albert in the Somme Valley were the battalion took part in a number of battles to retake territory lost to the Germans. One of these major battles was Mouquet Farm where the Germans had fortified positions underground. The attack was launched on the 14th August with mixed results. In the centre the 13th Battalion of the AIF managed to make progress but either side of them the attacks were turned back by machine gun fire, and by the end of the day they had been forced to retire. George being wounded the next day. 

George’s fighting days were over and now he was fighting for his life. On August 19, he was the fourth Australian Field Ambulance however, his condition was recorded on August 22 as being 'dangerously ill, requiring disability'.

His Nearest of Kin (NOK) were advised by telegram on August 29. The usual line your son has been wounded in action, no further details available.  It was not until September 3 that they learnt by another telegram that George was out of danger.

After further treatment in the French seaside town and base of Estaples, George was transferred from Calais to England landing on September 10 and being sent to the North Evington War Hospital in Leicester on the east coast of England.

Prior to 1915, the war hospital had previously been an infirmary housing the infirm poor and also patients with tuberculosis, pneumonia, and cancer and a substantial number of people, young and old, who were described at that time as ‘mentally defective, feeble minded or imbeciles’. (see photo)

George would spend over 4 months in this hospital being finally discharged for return passage to Australia on January 14, 1917. 

The Bendigo Independent reported on Saturday March 10, 1917

Amongst the returned wounded soldiers who landed in Melbourne on Thursday was Private George Every of White Hills. He was met by quite a number of relatives including his parents. On his arrival on this afternoon’s train from Melbourne two cars loaned by Mr J Giles and Mr S Gant will meet Private Every and convey him to his home where he will be serenaded by the school children and briefly welcomed by the Returned Soldiers welcome home committee.

The Independent also reported on George’s Welcome Home Reception held on Wednesday March 21.

The citizens of White Hills in extending a welcome home to Pte George Every last night, demonstrated with no uncertainty their regard for the soldiers of their community who have dared and done for the their country, and for the safety of their homes.

The building was packed to the doors and the audience represented all sections of the community.  The Union Jack bearing the words ‘POZIERES’ across the centre was immediately above the stage.

The chairman, speaking in the name of the citizens, said he wished to extend to Pte. Every a real White Hills welcome home. He considered, that every soldier who faced modern warfare was a hero. (Applause.) He then presented Pte. Every, whom he described as our hero of the Somme, with an illuminated address, and a gold medal. The address, which was beautifully designed and printed in the three colors of the Union Jack, with the name of the recipient, the dates of his enlistment and his return, in gold, reads : — "For home, for honor, and for right." "To Private George Every, on his return from active service, in defence of home and country abroad. Enlisted July 10, 1915; returned March 8, 1917. 

"Having voluntarily responded to the call of your King and country and heroically and nobly done your part in the great European war against the tyranny and military oppression of a ruthless foe, we, the residents of White Hills, desire to express our admiration of your zeal, valor and patriotism, our appreciation of your services, and our gratitude to the Almighty for your safe return.

The medal, which was designed and manufactured by Messrs. Prescott and Dawe, of Mitchell Street, bore the following inscription: "Pozieres, 8/3/17," and around the outer circle of the design "Presented to Pte. George Every on his return from active service by the White Hills Citizens."

 It further reported - As Pte. Every mounted the platform to receive the presentation, the words from the pen of Mr. Fred P. Morris, who has since said that he had his friend in Pte. Every in his mind when he penned the poem "Bare your head, here comes a soldier," were recited by Master Loch Brown. The effect was good, and as Pte. Every crossed the stage he was loudly applauded. Though able to face the enemy, he baulked at facing the audience with a response, and called on his brother, Mr. Frank J. Every, to respond on his behalf, which was briefly done.

Private George Every is remembered by the people of White Hills. The names of the local lads who sacrificed their lives and those that were fortunate to return from the Great War are shown on the embossed copper plaques on the White Hills Arch of Triumph, at the entrance to the Botanic Gardens.

The words of 'BARE YOUR HEAD, HERE COMES A SOLDIER’ by Mr Fred P. Morris of Eaglehawk and were printed in all of the local newspapers of the town. 

'Bare your head. Here comes a soldier

Who was wounded in the fray.

Grip his hand and bid him welcome,

Do him honor while you may.

Bare your head. Here comes a soldier,

One who fought your home to save.

Let him know how much you owe him

And his comrade in the grave,

Bare your head. Here comes a soldier

Who obeyed his country's call;

Battle worn is he, and weary,

He has claim upon us all.

Bare your head. Here comes a soldier,

Give him now the best you can;

He has won it in the trenches —

He is every inch a man.