HOLLAND, George Albert
| Service Number: | 3515 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 October 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 18th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia, March 1890 |
| Home Town: | Goulburn, Goulburn Mulwaree, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | North Goulburn Superior Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Locomotive Fireman |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 31 August 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Suzanne Communal Cemetery Extension |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Haymarket NSW Government Railway and Tramway Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Oct 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3515, 18th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 3515, 18th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Aeneas embarkation_ship_number: A60 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 3515, 18th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Aeneas, Sydney | |
| 27 Jul 1916: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 3515, 18th Infantry Battalion, Gunshot wound to hand. Top of finger amputation. Evacuated to England. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by John Oakes
George Albert HOLLAND (Service Number 3515) was born in Goulburn, NSW, in about March 1890. His parents lived at North Goulburn and he attended school at North Goulburn Superior Public School. On 14th October 1910, he joined the NSW Government Railways and Tramways at the Locomotive Branch at Goulburn as a cleaner. By 31st December 1911 he had progressed to the grade of fireman and he was still in this position when he enlisted in the AIF.
George joined the AIF on 4th October 1915 with the rank of Private (Service Number 3515). He was posted to the 8th Reinforcements to the 18th Infantry Battalion. He nominated his father, George Holland, as his next of kin.
Three days before embarking, he was treated to a farewell function in Goulburn hosted by his parents. It was attended by 30 guests. George embarked for Egypt aboard HMAT A60 ‘Aeneas’ at Sydney on 20th December 1915. In Egypt he was taken on strength of the 18th Infantry Battalion on 15th March 1916. Three days later, on 18th March 1916, he embarked at Alexandria for France.
On 12th July 1916 he was charged with ‘Committing an offence against the property of an inhabitant of the country in which he was serving.’ A Court Martial held on 21st-23rd July 1916 found him guilty and sentenced him to 56 days Field Punnishment. He committed five other disciplinary offences between July 1916 and August 1918, including disobeying orders, using obscene language, and Absent Without Leave.
On 27th July 1916 he was wounded in action, receiving a gunshot wound to the hand. As a result of this, he had the top of a finger amputated and he was evacuated to England. After convalescence and a period of furlough, he reported to the 5th Training Battalion at Perham Downs on 10th October 1916. He remained with this unit until 19th April 1917, except for a week in hospital with an undiagnosed disease in November 1916.
After leaving England on 19th April 1917, he re-joined the 18th Infantry Battalion in France on 9th May 1917. He remained on duty until 16th August 1917 when he reported sick with trench fever. After a period in hospital followed by convalescence, he re-joined the 18th Infantry Battalion on 20th October 1917. On 28th January 1918, by which time the Battalion had moved to Belgium, he was sent to England on leave. He returned from leave on 13th February 1918. Between February and August 1918 the unit returned to France.
George was wounded in action on 31st August 1918 in the attack on Mont St Quentin. He suffered injuries to the buttocks and face, and compound fractures of the legs. He died of his wounds the same day.
His grave is in the Suzanne Communal Cemetery Extension, Suzanne, Picardie, France. His place of association is Goulburn, NSW.
- based on the Australian War Memorial Honour Roll and notes for the Great Sydney Central Station Honour Board.