GOFF, George
| Service Numbers: | 272, Commissioned Officer, W18823 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 September 1915, Enlisted at Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Captain |
| Last Unit: | 32nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Brunswick, Victoria, Australia, 25 May 1888 |
| Home Town: | Brunswick, Moreland, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Coburg Primary School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Heart attack, Merredin, Western Australia , 28 May 1947, aged 59 years |
| Cemetery: |
Mukinbudin Cemetery, W. A. |
| Memorials: | Fremantle 5th Military District Headquarters Administrative and Instructional Staff Honor Board |
World War 1 Service
| 30 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Regimental Sergeant Major, 272, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Enlisted at Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Warrant Officer Class 1, 272, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: '' | |
| 12 May 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery | |
| 12 May 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery | |
| 1 Sep 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery | |
| 1 Apr 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Captain, 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery | |
| 15 May 1917: | Honoured Military Cross, Bullecourt (Second), 'At BULLECOURT on 3rd May 1917, Captain GOFF whilst advancing with a Trench Mortar Section, discovered that all the officers accompanying the infantry waves were casualties, and he assumed command under the most trying circumstances. He rallied and held the men for four hours in the open, and on having his flanks exposed, kept his men well in check while controlling an orderly retirement. He also furnished a valuable report on the enemy's dispositions and defenses. His splendid example saved a difficult position and deserves special recognition.' | |
| 18 Oct 1917: | Discharged AIF WW1, Captain, Commissioned Officer, 32nd Infantry Battalion |
World War 2 Service
| 24 Mar 1942: | Enlisted Captain, W18823 | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Mar 1942: | Enlisted W18823 | |
| 14 Jan 1943: | Discharged Captain |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
George Goff was born on the 25th of May 1888 in Brunswick Victoria, Australia. His religion was with the Church of England. At age 27 he enlisted for the Great War in Adelaide, Australia on the 30th of September 1915, under the name Robert Joseph George. He was 5'7 and weighed 197lbs. At the time he was married and he had previously served in the citizen military forces.
His rank upon enlistment was Regimental Sergeant Major and was enlisted at the 32nd Battalion, A company. He embarked from Adelaide on the 18th of November 1915 aboard the HMAT A2 Geelong.
He was sent to officer school and repeatedly promoted: Second Lieutenant on 12 May 1916, Lieutenant on 6 September 1916 and Captain on 1 April 1917. These promotions involved a temporary detachment to the Light Trench Mortar units. At Bullecourt on 3 May 1917 he won the Military Cross for keeping several men steady out in the open after their officers had become casualties. The following day he was hospitalised for shell shock and asphyxia after being buried by a shell burst. Although he returned briefly to duty, he clearly did not recover from this event: his service record shows he was moved from hospital to hospital with not-yet-diagnosed mental illness and was sent home to Australia on the 18th of October 1917. After the war, he helped returning soldiers with their demobilisation.
George Goff re-enlisted for the Second World War. After serving for several months as a staff officer in the Militia he retired due to medical unfitness, particularly an enlarged heart.
Captain George Goff passed away on the 28th of May 1947.
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