George Darling GOULD

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GOULD, George Darling

Service Numbers:	Not yet discovered
Enlisted:	28 May 1915
Last Rank:	Major
Last Unit:	26th Infantry Battalion
Born:	Launceston, Tasmania, Australia , 19 May 1867
Home Town:	Launceston, Launceston, Tasmania
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Salesman
Died:	Meningitis, Brisbane , Queensland, Australia, 8 June 1915, aged 48 years
Cemetery:	Carr Villa Memorial Park, Tasmania
Memorials:

World War 1 Service

28 May 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Major, 26th Infantry Battalion

Help us honour George Darling Gould's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks

George Darling Gould was born on 19 May 1867 in Launceston, Tasmania. During 1890 he married Ava Clarke and became the manager of James Barclay’s ironmongers in Launceston. Gould had served with the Citizens Militia in Tasmania from 1883 and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

In May 1915 George enlisted for active service, and although he was 48, he was accepted for a commission in the 26th Battalion AIF. Within a month he had left Launceston for active service.

Gould was sent to Brisbane to train reinforcements for the front. After about two weeks, however, he suddenly fell ill. He was taken to a private hospital nearby, but died suddenly on 8 June 1915. Major Gould’s body was returned to Launceston for a funeral. The people of Launceston turned out in huge numbers, and the service was reported to be one of the largest seen there. Gould’s coffin was covered with a union jack on top of which sat his hat and sword. The procession to the cemetery was led by Gould’s horse, led riderless and followed by a large number of soldiers and officers.

Two of his sons served in the AIF, Sergeant Thomas Henry Gould served with the medical corps in casualty clearing stations for four years and an 18 year old George Frederick Gould rose through the ranks with the 12th Battalion AIF, eventually being awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Bullecourt, and was several times recommended for bravery awards.

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