Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The death occurred In the Proserpine District Hospital on Tuesday last week of Mr. George Phillip Usher, on the eve of his 70th birthday after being in indifferent health for some time. Mr. Usher was born in Reading, England. At the age of seven years he came to Australia with his parents, Mrs. E. M. Usher (Proserpine) and the late Mr. William Usher, who passed away in Proserpine in 1937.  They landed at Townsville and then proceeded to the Burdekin district where Mr. Usher (snr.) secured employment on a sugar cane property owned by the Munro family. Some years later the family moved to Townsville where they engaged in a wood depot business. Mr. George Usher then took up a cattle property on  the Black River, Townsville, which lie carried on for several years, finally disposing of it with the intention of purchasing a sugar farm in the Burdekin district. However he decided  otherwise and after engaging in farm, work for about 12 months he enlisted in the A.I.F., going overseas with the 2/llth Light Horse Regiment. Most of his active service was spent  at Gallipoli, going in soon after the original landing and he remained there until the evacuation. Suffering from shell-shock he was finally evacuated to England. After some months there he was sent to the Middle East, where he remained until the end of World War 1.

On his return from overseas Mr. Usher joined his brother, Mr. W. Usher, who purchased a sugar farm in the Ingham district which was sold in 1925. The Usher Brothers then came  to Proserpine the same year and Mr. W. Usher purchased a farm at Strathdickie where deceased lived for mahy years. On the death of his father, the late Mr. George Usher came  to Proserpine to reside with his mother, where he lived until his demise. During his sojourn in Proserpine Mr. Usher took an active interest in the activities of the RSSAILA, RAOB Lodge and the Royal Society of St. George, all of whom were represented at the funeral.

Mr. Usher, who never married, is survived by his mother, Mrs. E. M. Usher (Proserpine), one sister Mrs. E. M.. Kiddie (Mt. Molloy), and one brother, Mr. W. Usher (Proserpine). A  sister predeceased him several years ago. The funeral moved from the Presbyterian Church on Tuesday afternoon, the Rev. D. C. Blake officiating at the services. The coffin was  draped with the Union Jack and members of the three organisations with which he was associated acted as pallbearers. The RAOB Lodge and St. George Society burial services were read by Messrs. F. L. Wright and Chaplain E. W. Murrell respectively.

Son of William Usher and Elizabeth Martha Usher nee Bosier of Black River, via Townsville, QLD. 

Commenced return to Australia on 15 November 1918 aboard HT Port Darwin disembarking on 26 December 1918 at Sydney for onward travel to QLD.

Medals: 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal