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War Memorial
Australia

George Brown FULLERTON

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Recommendation:-

Great gallantry, coolness and devotion to duty during operations south of Messines on 7 June 1917. 'In company with another non-commissioned officer he attacked twenty of the enemy, personally killing eight and wounding and capturing the remainder. He has previously done excellent work whilst taking part in raids, at all times displaying the greatest gallantry and coolness under fire.'

Recommendation date: 16 June 1917 Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219 Date: 20 December 1917

 George Fullerton was the youngest son of eight children to Peter and Dorothea (nee Atkinson) Fullerton who farmed land near the Campaspe River north of Bendigo. George joined the newly formed Bendigo Battalion, the 38th Battalion on the 17 February 1916. Following training at the Bendigo camp not far from home at the Epsom Race track in Bendigo, the 38th left for Broadmeadows camp prior to embarking from Melbourne on the HMAT Runic A54 on 20 June 1916.

The Bendigonian weekly reported in late April a story from Kamarooka East.

‘On Monday night at Avonmore, Privates Jack Holmberg, James Scoberg and George Fullerton, who are all well known locally, were tendered a farewell social prior to their departure for the front. The three recruits are excellent specimens of Australia's sterling manhood, and having been comrades in civil life they have gone forth together to defend their country. The best wishes for their safe return were voiced by many speakers.[1]

These three mates from Avonmore would stay together throughout the war with Jack Holmberg and Jim Scoberg writing to George’s parents and sister on his death. The Bendigo Independent published this letter in August 1917: -                                                       ‘George fought all through the big advance of Messines, and just near the finish he got wounded with a piece of shrapnel. Jim was with him at the time, and he helped to dress the wound. It went in on the left side of the lower part of his stomach. They were lying down in a new piece of trench they had just made when a shrapnel shell burst over head, and George said, "Jim, I am wounded." George did some fine work in the battle. One day before he and another sergeant came on nine Germans in a trench. They showed considerable opposition. George and the sergeant shot three, then George jumped into the trench and the remaining six surrendered on the point of his bayonet. I think he will be mentioned for a distinction, A grand honor, but what a little consolation to those who mourn his loss’.[2]

The Bendigonian announced George’s death on July 5th, 1917: -Elmore, 27th June.                                                                       'Private George B. Fullerton, son of Mr. Peter Fullerton, the well-known farmer and contractor of Avonmore, is reported to have died from wounds in France on the 12th inst. The deceased soldier sailed with the 38th (Bendigo) Battalion in June of last year, and had been seven months in the trenches in France. He was 27 years of age, and a popular figure in social and athletic circles in this district. Much sympathy has been expressed at the loss of a fine manly character.'[3]

SERVICE RECORD:  

Regimental number: 548

Place of birth: Avonmore, Victoria

School: Avonmore State School,

Religion: Roman Catholic

Occupation:Farmer

Address: Avonmore, near Elmore, Victoria

Marital status: Single

Age at enlistment: 25

Next of kin: Mother, Mrs e Fullerton, Avon More, Victoria

Enlistment date: 17 February 1916

Unit name: 38th Battalion, B Company & 39th Battalion

Embarked: HMAT A54 Runic on 20 June 1916

Final Rank: Corporal

Fate: Died of wounds 12 June 1917

Place of death or wounding: Messines, Belgium

Age at death: 27

Place of burial: Trois-Abres Cemetery, Steenwerck, France

During operations south of Messines on 7 June 1917.

The Official History of the 38th Battalion, by Eric Fairey describes this action: -

‘At last the barrage lifted. On went the First wave , storming  what was left of ungodly trench and on to the capture of Schnitzel farm. The second wave followed closely by the third pushed on to meet a fair amount of opposition mostly machine gun and rifle fire. A strong point in the shape of a huge dugout with machine gun posts established was captured and yielded many prisoners and guns. The enemy were now retreating to their next line but were quickly followed by the attackers who shot them down as they retreated, or took prisoner those who gave themselves up. Those that managed to escape would become casualties in the barrage…….

The Distinguished Conduct Medal. Lance Corporal G.B Fullerton rushed a dugout, bayoneted several Bosche and captured 30 prisoners’. [4]

[1] Bendigonian, Thu 27 Apr 1916  Page 13  PRESENTATIONS TO SOLDIERS.

[2] Bendigo Independent, Fri 17 Aug 1917  Page 7  SOLDIERS' LETTERS.
[3] The Bendigonian Thu 5 Jul 1917  Page 24  PRIVATE G. B. FULLERTON.
[4] The 38th Battalion of the AIF, Official History by Eric Fairey. Cambridge Press, 1920.