WADE, George
| Service Number: | SX11194 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 February 1941, Adelaide, SA |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Llanelly, Wales, 3 December 1903 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Feb 1941: | Involvement Sergeant, SX11194, 2nd/43rd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Feb 1941: | Enlisted Adelaide, SA | |
| 3 Feb 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, SX11194, 2nd/43rd Infantry Battalion | |
| 22 Apr 1948: | Discharged | |
| 22 Apr 1948: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, SX11194, 2nd/43rd Infantry Battalion |
When Is Your Birthday, George?
George Henry Wade enlisted in AIF on 24th Feb 1917, age 18y, Service Number 3735 and served in 10/48th, 43rd and 32nd Battalions. He was the son of William Henry Wade and he stated he was born on 20 September 1898 at Renmark, SA.
When World War II broke out, George Henry Wade enlisted at Keswick on 24th October 1939 stating his date of birth as 20 October 1889 and referred to his previous service in 32nd Battalion in France. His Service Number was S212659. His next of kin was his wife Maud Rose Wade (nee Napier). He was discharged on 3rd December 1940 as medically unfit for service.
George Henry Wade re-enlisted at Loveday on 23rd September 1940 stating his date of birth was 20 October 1899 (which I think is correct!) and again referred to his previous service in 32nd Battalion in France. His Service Number was S32303. His next of kin was Maud Rose Wade. He served in No 9 Internment Camp at Loveday. He was discharged on 31 January 1941, "services no longer required (non disciplinary)"
George Wade had already re-enlisted at Adelaide on 23 January 1941 stating he was born on 3 December 1903 at Llanelly, Wales. Turns out those were his wife's birth details! His next of kin was Maud Rose Wade and he had no previous military service. His Service Number was SX11194. He served in 2/43 Battalion in the Middle East. He was returned to Australia on 4 June 1942 as an invalid and he was marked for disposal on 8 October 1942. On 7 January 1943, he was transferred to 25 Garrison Battalion and appears to have served back at Loveday. He was promoted to A/Corporal and A/Sergeant on 25 February 1943 and his rank of Sergeant was confirmed on 1 February 1944. He had many hospital admissions throughout his service and his final admission was to the Repatriation General Hospital on 30 November 1947. He was discharged from the army on 22 April 1948.
Just to settle the matter, his birth was registered in 1899 (SA BDM Births 1899 650/136) so I'll go with 20 October 1899.
Not to be confused with George Henry Wade, Service Number SX16582, his son.
Submitted 29 April 2025 by Dave Roberts