Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George Arthur Webb
George was born in Silverton, NSW in February 1892 before the family moved to the railway town of Petersburg in the mid-north of SA. As a young, fit 23-year-old labourer, he enlisted on the 21st March 1915 as Private, SN 5090 in the 27th Battalion. He had previously met 19-year-old Ida Jane Retallack who lived on ‘The Oaks’ farm. At the conclusion of hostilities, Lance Corporal Webb was discharged from a different Battalion, the 32nd Infantry, on the 9th October 1919. Within five months he and Ida were married at her home on the 23rd March 1920.
The Repatriation Department helped George gain employment as a share farmer until he eventually purchased his own farm 14 miles from Loxton on the River Murray which they called ‘Tower View’ as, the property overlooked the large water tower in Noora which received its water from another larger tower in Loxton built to supply all the neighbouring farms with water pumped from the Murray. Six miles from the farm was a small railway siding called Noora, linking Murray Bridge to Paringa through the Mallee country. George carted his wheat to be transported from Noora but also there was a small local Store which provided bread and other basic necessities. The latter was done using a horse and cart.
The initial very basic farm dwelling, a barn, was constructed by George and Ida. They utilised what was available from the land with the uprights being felled tree trunks, with cross beams of sawn timber and hessian bags covering the internal walls and creating room dividers. The external walls and roof were of corrugated iron – cold in winter and hot in summer. This barn sufficed until a more permanent farm home was created by moving a house from the neighbouring property. Lined inside and out with corrugated iron, it had four main rooms and a central passage, all surrounded by a cooling dirt-floored verandah. There was no electricity but hurricane lamps were the main source of light of an evening. George divided his holding into four paddocks for wheat, feed for the milking cows and pigs. The latter livestock sustained the farm until sheep could be bought. Of course, there were hens, many stone and citrus trees and vegetable gardens. George also dug a separate cellar to store preserves, jams and fruit which Ida oversaw.
Post war, conditions were tough for returned servicemen who had to repay money loaned to them by the Farmer’s Assistance Board. With six children this was always a challenge but George made the repayments a priority.
Sadly, George died while his children were still young. They ranged in age from 16 to 5 years of age. His wife, Ida had taken the youngest child to hospital for treatment of a mild case of polio. George, feeling unwell came back from the paddocks, asking his oldest daughter, Ruby to help him bathe to go in to a neighbour’s. He even assisted her in harnessing the two horses then climbed in to the buggy. Sadly within a few kilometres he had a massive heart attack and died against Ruby.
He is buried in the Loxton Cemetery with Ida, who died in 1984.
Murray Pioneer and Australian River Record (Renmark, SA: 1913 - 1942), Thursday 2 April 1936, page 1 SUDDEN DEATH Passing of Mr. George Webb of Noora April 1. Gloom was cast over the district on Monday last on hearing of the very sudden passing of Mr. George Webb. Mr. Webb, who a few hours previous to his death was fire raking, returned to his home from the paddock complaining that, he was not feeling very well, and after some little time his condition grew worse, he decided to seek medical. aid, whereupon his eldest daughter Ruby, aged 15, drove her father in a buggy to the home of Mr. W. Aunger, who took him to Loxton. It is understood, however that Mr Webb had passed away on his daughter’s lap before arriving at Mr. Aunger's.
Mr. Webb will be greatly missed by his many friends as he was one who had a cheery word for everyone, and his passing has removed one of Noora's most respected and hard-working men. He had been farming in this district for the past 14 or 15 years. Mr. Webb leaves a widow, four daughters, and two sons. Great sympathy is expressed to Mrs. Webb and family, Mrs. Webb being in the city at the time or her husband's death. The funeral was arranged at Loxton on April 1.
Inserted by Kaye Lee, Grand-daughter of Blanche Cummings (nee Retallack), Ida’s sister.