SEIGERT, George William
| Service Number: | 6831 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 September 1916, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Hallett, South Australia, 19 May 1895 |
| Home Town: | Hallett, Goyder, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Hallett Public School, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Grocer's assistant |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 21 September 1917, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Burra District WW1 Honor Roll, Burra Fallen Soldiers Memorial, Hallett War Memorial, Menin Gate Memorial (Commonwealth Memorial to the Missing of the Ypres Salient) |
World War 1 Service
| 29 Sep 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6831, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Nov 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 6831, 10th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Nov 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 6831, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Afric, Adelaide | |
| 21 Sep 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 6831, 10th Infantry Battalion, Menin Road |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
George William Seigert was born on 19th May 1895 to Mr George Robert and Mrs Amanda Seigert in Hallett, South Australia. He had three brothers and a sister; Robert, John, Edwin and Agnes, and went to Hallett Public School. He followed the Church of England religion and at the time of enlistment, he was a grocer’s assistant and single (not married).
George had no previous military experience but had previously been rejected as unfit for service because of his teeth. He was described as being 5 feet 3.75 inches (162 cm), 117 pounds (53 kg), medium complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair. He had a chest measurement of 32-36 inches, he passed his vision test with full marks and had received three vaccinations before enlisting.
George successfully enlisted on the 29th of September, 1916 in Adelaide. He embarked from Adelaide, South Australia on the HMAT A19 Afric on 7th November 1916 at 21 years and 4 months of age. He disembarked at Plymouth, England on 9th January 1917.
George was a private with the regimental number 6831. He was admitted to Parkhouse Military Hospital, England with mumps on 4th April 1917. He went to France via Folkestone on 3rd June 1917 to join the 1st Australian Divisional Base Depot in Étaples, France. George was added to the 10th Battalion from the 22nd Reinforcements on 9th May 1917 in France. He proceed to the Western Front and fought and died in The Battle of Menin Road in Belgium on 21st September 1917. He was 22 years and 4 months of age at death and died at Polygon Wood, Zonnebeke in Belgium.
George has no known grave but is commemorated at the Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium on panels 7, 17, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31 and at the Australian War Memorial on panel 60 in the Commemorative Area. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
ANZAC Spirit
George showed bravery, patriotism and courage by dying for his country and by doing his duty. He showed determination and endurance by continuing his service even though he had previously become ill and gone to hospital. These qualities make up the ANZAC Spirit.
In the poems written by his family in The Adelaide Chronicle, George is described as brave and loving which further demonstrates the ANZAC Spirit. He was described as someone who didn’t shy away from his duty and gave his life for his country. He was also described as manly (strong and courageous).
Bibliography
- https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/search
- https://www.awm.gov.au/people/roll-search
- http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead.aspx
- http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au
- http://trove.nla.gov.au/?q&adv=y
- https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/awm4/
- https://www.awm.gov.au/collection
- http://www.catalog.slsa.sa.gov.au/search/X
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