EDDY, George
| Service Number: | SX9986 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 August 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Kadina, South Australia, 2 July 1914 |
| Home Town: | Crystal Brook, Port Pirie City and Dists, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Barman |
| Died: | 21 December 1997, aged 83 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia RSL Walls |
| Memorials: | Crystal Brook District WW2 Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 2 Aug 1940: | Involvement Sergeant, SX9986 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Aug 1940: | Enlisted Adelaide, SA | |
| 2 Aug 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, SX9986, 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion | |
| Date unknown: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, SX9986, 2nd/27th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
Sergeant George Eddy (1914–1997)
Service Number SX9986 – 2/27th Infantry Battalion, AIF
Early Life
George Eddy was born on 2 July 1914 at Kadina, South Australia, to Michael Eddy and Elizabeth (née Facoory). He worked as a barman before enlistment and lived at the Royal Hotel, Crystal Brook.
Enlistment
Enlisted: 2 August 1940, Adelaide
Age: 26
Religion: Church of England
Physical description: black hair, brown eyes, appendix scar
Next of kin: Initially his mother, Elizabeth Eddy; later updated to wife Laurel Jessie Eddy (née Campbell) after their 1944 marriage.
Service Timeline
1940–41: Trained in South Australia (Wayville, Woodside).
April 1941: Embarked overseas; served in the Middle East.
June–July 1941: Syria–Lebanon Campaign. Promoted Corporal, then Acting Sergeant.
March 1942: Returned to Australia.
August 1942 – 1943: Deployed to New Guinea (Kokoda, Sanananda). Hospitalised with malaria/dysentery but returned to duty.
1944–45: Served in Bougainville with the 2/27th Battalion. Promoted to Sergeant.
18 June 1945: Officially discharged at Wayville after nearly five years of service.
Medals & Recognition
In July 1997, George wrote to Army Medals seeking confirmation of his entitlement to the Africa Star for his Middle East service. The Army replied in October 1997 confirming he was entitled to a full suite of campaign medals:
1939/45 Star
Africa Star
Pacific Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939/45
Australia Service Medal 1939/45
Returned from Active Service Badge
His service was commemorated on the Crystal Brook District WW2 Honour Roll.
Marriage and Family
George married Laurel Jessie Campbell on 4 March 1944, while still in service. Laurel, born 1917, was the eldest daughter of Allan and Edith Campbell of Yaninee and Mile End. They later lived at 24 Burwood Avenue, Nailsworth.
Passing
Laurel passed away in 1982. George lived another 15 years, passing away on 21 December 1997 aged 83.
He is remembered at Centennial Park Cemetery, Adelaide, on the RSL Wall 129, Niche A013, with his plaque inscribed:
SX9986 Sgt G. Eddy
2/27 Infantry Battalion
21-12-1997 Age 83
Legacy
George Eddy’s life reflects the service of ordinary Australians who endured gruelling campaigns in both the Middle East and Pacific. His careful pursuit of his medals in 1997, only months before his passing, shows his enduring pride in the service he gave as a Sergeant of the 2/27th Infantry Battalion.
Biography by Trevor Pyatt 4/09/2025
Click images to start slideshow.