Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

- Completed by Endeavour College

George William Lennon was born on July 16, 1909, in Liverpool, England. George was the third born of ten children. His parents, James and Eleanor Lennon, came from opposing religious backgrounds, James was Protestant, Eleanor Catholic, which was unconventional at the time.2 

George was mischievous and loved to make people laugh. He lived in a small Liverpool house and attended St. Nicholas Catholic School3. At 18, he left school and began working as a grocer’s assistant.

In 1926, James Lennon, George’s father, was aboard a ship docked in Port Adelaide. This was during a Waterside Workers protest4. Moved by the cause, James and his crew walked off the ship and refused to return5, a bold move that cost him his job and future prospects in England’s shipping industry. He chose to stay.6 With no work in Liverpool, Eleanor had no choice but to bring the children to join James. George, along with seven siblings, sailed on
the vessel Bendigo7 to Australia. He was the oldest traveling with them, as his two older brothers were already serving in the English Navy.8

The vessel made the long journey from London to Port Adelaide, over three months. Food was limited to powdered eggs and porridge.10 Despite the hardship, George stayed hopeful, believing life in Australia would be better than in Liverpool.

The family arrived in Port Adelaide and happily reunited with James. They walked to their new home, a small lodge in Glenville Hall, Semaphore. While the main house was reserved for Adelaide’s elite, the Lennon’s lived in a small unit next to the grand house. They didn’t mind; it was a roof over their heads.

In 1939, following in his father’s footsteps and answering the call for Australia’s Navy, Geroge enlisted as a Merchant Seaman Steward aboard, HMAS MANOORA, (pictured in Source 3) as Steward PA17611 . The ship was able to transport up to 1,250 troops and transport 18 to 28 landing craft12. A Merchant Seaman Steward was not viewed as a traditional military role, but George still played a crucial role in supporting naval operations and keeping vital supply lines open. His job of service included things like, maintaining living quarters and managing supplies.13 These were essential tasks enabling the ship to operate, but as they did not face traditional military dangers, their contributions were often overlooked. As the war intensified, George ended up playing a more active role in the navy, utilising his ability to swim and with learnings from his training periods before and during the war14. The HMAS MANOORA, started off with patrol across all Australian waters, but ultimately it ended up being deployed to a Chinese station in early, 1940. 15

The HMAS MANOORA’s most notable war activities occurred the early morning of June 12th, 1940, In the Captains Log commander Athur Spurgeon, stated It intercepted and forced the Italian freighter Romolo to leave scuttling south-west of Nauru, the result of lighting their ships on fire.16 This occurred as Italy had declared war on the Allies, the day before. This event marked Australia's first strike against the new enemy at sea.17 Initiated with the spotting of Romolo just 160 miles away, HMAS MANOORA signalled by lamp to the Italian vessel to stop and communicated: “Stop instantly or I will fire. Do not attempt to sink ship. Do not abandon ship because I will not pick you up.”18 The Romolo acknowledged the signal, replied "OK” but kept continuing her course. It was later found on fire, as pictured in Source 5. From the Captains logs it is stated that it was a quick and easy strike that the whole ship committed to achieve. 19

While at war George Received a good conduct badge on the 31st of October 1942. Good conduct badges were awarded for periods of good conduct and for long service to the navy.23 This was recorded on his service record.

By 1943, George became unwell, he had sustained a Duodenal Ulcer, as mentioned in the medical service report in Source 10 -24 “Duodenal Ulcer approved to be discharged on 11th October 1943 directed to apply for Repatriation Pension”25. The war had become too demanding on his health and body.26 He tried to persevere, but his body couldn’t take it anymore. The Royal Australian Navy declared him unfit to carry on with his position and he returned home.27 

Later in life (1959) George also suffered with War Post Traumatic Syndrome (Psychoneurosis). 28Psychoneurosis is an old term used to describe mental health struggles. Psychoneurosis stems from historical repressed trauma. He received treatment at a Repatriation Hospital which included shock treatment to improve his overall wellbeing.

In 1945 George met and married a woman named Phyllis Peace Elizabeth Baker in the small country town of Port Pirie, 9th April 1945.29 Phyllis’ middle name Peace reflected being born the same year Peace was declared after the first World War.30 The couple had 5 children. They lived well and made happy memories together. George adored his kids and used to draw them pictures and get the kids to paint them.31 Whenever the kids seemed upset George would sing funny Irish songs just to see them smile.

Eventually though, his health compromised by the war, George Lennon died peacefully in bed on November 29th, 1964, aged only 55 years, (Source 13. )32 George left a legacy though, his beloved children. Although they were so young when he passed away their memory of him guided them in love. After George died, the family were helped by the Legacy Club of South Australia.33

References

1 Quote By C.S Lewis
2 Courtesy of interview with Martin Lennon
3 Courtesy of interview with Martin Lennon
4 National Library of Australia
5 Born a Rebel. By G. Edith Wells – Pg. 54
6 Born a Rebel. By G. Edith Wells – Pg. 56
7 Born a Rebel. By G. Edith Wells – Pg. 57
8 Born a Rebel. By G. Edith Wells – Pg. 58
9 Bendigo - Green Collection – State of Victoria L
10 Born a Rebel. By G. Edith Wells – Pg. 73

11 Australian War Memorial
12 Australian War Memorial
13 Courtesy of Interview with Martin Lennon
14 Courtesy of Interview with Martin Lennon
15 National Historical Society of Australia
16 Australian War memorial – Log from Manoora Captain
17 Sea Power Centre
18 Sea Power Centre
19 Australian War memorial – Log from Manoora Captain

20 Australian War Memorial
21 Australian War Memorial
22 Courtesy of Interview with Martin Lennon
23 Courtesy of Interview with Martin Lennon/ Official War documents
24 National Archives of Australia
25 National Archives of Australia
26 Courtesy of Interview with Martin Lennon/ Official War documents
27 Courtesy of Interview with Martin Lennon/ Official War documents

29 Courtesy Of interview with Martin Lennon
30 Courtesy Of interview with Martin Lennon
31 Courtesy Of interview with Martin Lennon
32 Courtesy Of interview with Martin Lennon
33 Courtesy Of interview with Martin Lennon

Reference list:

About Glanville Hall | Glanville Hall 2025, Glanville Hall, viewed 21 July 2025, https://glanvillehall.com.au/about/?ref=menu/#history
Australian Soldiers, Memorials and Military History 2025, Vwma.org.au, viewed 21 July 2025, https://vwma.org.au/
HMAS Manoora 2025, Awm.gov.au, viewed 21 July 2025, https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U53698
HMAS Manoora 1939-1946 World Naval Ships Forums Archive 2025, Worldnavalships.com, viewed 21 July 2025, https://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/thread.php?threadid=2912
Items listing 2025, Naa.gov.au, viewed 24 August 2025, Service records NAA: A6770, Lennon , G.W Item ID :5234333 https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/ItemsListing.aspx
School History | St Nicholas Catholic Academy Liverpool 2023, St Nicholas, viewed 21 July 2025, https://stnicholasliverpool.co.uk/our-school/school-history/
Screw Steamer BENDIGO built by Harland & Wolff Ltd in 1922 for Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company, Greenock, Passenger / Cargo 2025, Clydeships.co.uk, viewed 21 July 2025, https://www.clydeships.co.uk/view.php?ref=4035#:~:text=Screw%20Steamer%20BENDIGO%20built%20by%20Harland%20&,Barrow%2Din%2DFurness%20for%20breaking%20by%20TW%20Ward%20Ltd
Waterside workers hall in Port Adelaide symbol of long deep struggle for rights of employees, starting in 19th Century | Adelaide AZ 2025, Adelaide AZ, viewed 21 July 2025, https://adelaideaz.com/articles/Waterside%20workers%20hall%20in%20Port%20Adelaide%20symbol%20of%20long%20deep%20struggle%20for%20rights%20of%20employees,%20starting%20in%2019th%20Century