SPEEDY, George Thomas
| Service Number: | 21718 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 September 1917 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Army Medical Corps (AIF) |
| Born: | Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, 21 May 1898 |
| Home Town: | California Gully, Greater Bendigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | California Gully School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Salesman |
| Memorials: | Bendigo Great War Roll of Honor, Bendigo Members of The Beehive Staff Pictorial Honor Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Sep 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 21718, Army Medical Corps (AIF) | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Jul 1918: | Involvement Private, 21718, Army Medical Corps (AIF), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '23' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Borda embarkation_ship_number: A30 public_note: '' | |
| 17 Jul 1918: | Embarked Private, 21718, Army Medical Corps (AIF), HMAT Borda, Sydney | |
| 4 Nov 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 21718, Army Medical Corps (AIF), RTA 7 September 1919 and discharged (TPE). |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Larna Malone
George Thomas Speedy was born in Bendigo on May 21st, 1898, the son of Walter Henry and Victoria Louisa Speedy, of Smalley St, California Gully. George was educated at the California Gully School, and attended the California Hill Methodist Church and Sunday School. He was employed as a Salesman at the Beehive furniture warehouse.
On 8.9.17 George Thomas Speedy applied to enlist in the A.I.F., aged 19 years & 3 months. Parental consent was required as he was under the age of 21 years. His mother signed her consent as his father was deceased. He was accepted for Service and subscribed the same day.
He arrived at the Depot in Broadmeadows on 25.9.17. He was appointed to the Army Medical Corps on 8.10.17, and commenced training at No 5 Australian General Hospital (11.10.17).
"Private George Speedy, formerly an employe of the Beehive furniture warehouse, and now a member of the Australian Expeditionary Forces, was farewelled at the Beehive Stores on Thursday last by the former fellow employes and presented with a wristlet watch and safety razor.” [Bendigonian 9 May 1918]
George was transferred to the Clearing Hospital, Broadmeadows, on 29.5.18. On 3.7.18 he was appointed to the Army Medical Corps Reinforcements, with Service No. 21718.
“At the California Hill Methodist Sunday School last Sunday week Private George Speedy, one of the teachers of the school, who was on final leave, spoke a few words of farewell to the scholars. It is interesting to note that Private Speedy is the third teacher of one particular class to join the ranks of the A.I.F. On Monday night the officials of the school and members of the Christian Endeavor Society met at the soldier’s residence and expressed their pride and appreciation of his action. The superintendent, Mr F. Jones, on behalf of the school, presented Private Speedy with a fountain pen and also on behalf of the C.E. a splendidly bound volume of Frances Ridley Havergal’s poems. Private Speedy feelingly responded.” [Bendigonian 4 July 1918]
George commenced his official service with the Army Medical Corps Reinforcements on 13.7.18. He travelled to Sydney, and on 17.7.18 embarked for overseas on board HMAT “Borda”. Disembarking in London, he reported at the Depot, and on 16.11.18 commenced work at the Ambulance Training Depot. On 14.12.18 he was attached to No 4 Group Clearing Hospital, Codford. He was Promoted Temporary Corporal on 13.1.19, and was Promoted to ER/Corporal (i.e. Emergency Room Corporal) on 1.5.19.
On 4.8.19 he left the Clearing Hospital and moved to the Depot at Sutton Veny, where he was Posted to 9th Field Ambulance (6.8.19). He embarked for Return to Australia on 6.9.19.
“Members of the Beehive Staff who Served in the Great War”: Larna Malone
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