Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William was born in Sydney on the 24th September 1912, to Richard Patrick and Rose Dwyer. However, early on, he became known by his third name, George. He had an older brother, Ernest Dwyer but following the death of her husband, Rose became Mrs A. G. Riches with the family living in Norwood with two of the Riches boys, Albert (Bert) and Leonard (Len).
Post school, George found work as a labourer in the fruit growing industry of Mypolonga, on the banks of the River Murray between Mannum and Murray Bridge and married Jean Ellenor with the couple having two children, Maureen and Kenneth Crayford. Typical of country communities, sporting involvement was strong, with George being involved with the Mypolonga Football Club which competed strongly in the River Murray Football Association. However, with the outbreak of WWII, George’s two step-brothers were the first to enlist. 26-year-old Albert George (Bert) Riches enlisted as SX2833 at Wayville on the 17 May 1940. He rose to become a Corporal in the 2/27th Battalion. His younger brother, 23-year-old Leonard James (Len) Riches SX3733 enlisted days later on the 27 May ’40. Both were allocated to the 2/7th Battalion.
27-year-old George also enlisted at Murray Bridge about a month later on the 2nd July 1940. However, he was allocated the number SX8869 and placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. He had perhaps planned to be with his two step-brothers in the 2/7th Battalion. The young men were close enough to each name the other two as supplementary next of kin, George nominating his wife, Jean as his first contact.
Following pre-embarkation leave, George was soon aboard the Stratheden on the 7th November 1940, briefly stopping at Freemantle in Western Australia before arriving in the Middle East on the 17th December. Within eight months of his arrival, he was killed in action on the 1st August ‘41.
The 2/48th Battalion was in the Salient, which John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan described as ‘The days were hot, with a wind like the breath of a furnace, and the nights were bathed in the light of a full moon, curtailing the movement of the Salient men and presenting the ration parties with the difficult task of getting a meal up, with the gaps in the minefields covered by the enemy fixed lines of fire.’ The men were under intense fire from long burst from Spandau with the front half obscured by dust and smoke. ‘Long bursts spread from post to post to be joined by artillery and mortar fire from both sides, until the front was half obscured in a pall of dust and smoke. On our first day, Private S.E. Scott and Private W.A.G. Dwyer were killed by machine gun fire and Privates Whitton and Winter were wounded by shell splinters.’ George was aged 28.
Back in South Australia, the Chronicle published the names of those killed or injured with George. From the 2/48th Battalion these were: Killed In Action. — Pte. Stanley E. Scott, SX7536, Port Lincoln and Pte. William A. G. Dwyer, SX8869, Mypolonga. Wounded In Action; Pte. Charles J. Harding, 6X7796, Gilberton and Pte. Alexander Paterson, SX10528, Mannum.
The News added more detail on the 15 August 1941, carrying a photo of William. ‘W. A. G. Dwyer, 28. Pte. Dwyer enlisted in the A.I.F. in July, 1940. and left for overseas with an infantry unit in November. He worked in orchards at Mypolonga before he joined up. He was secretary of the Mypolonga Football Club. Pte. Dwyer was the second son of Mrs. A. G. Riches, of North Norwood, and the late Mr. R. P. Dwyer. Two half-brothers, Cpl. A. G. Riches and Pte. L. J. Riches, are abroad with the A.I.F. Pte. Dwyer left two children.
George now rests in the Tobruk War Cemetery Plot 4, Row N Grave 6 with members of his sister battalion, the 2/43rd 32-year-old SX5239 A.F. Bennett, 25-year-old SX5063 B.E. Tinlin, 25-year-old SX11232 B.W. Symens, 23-year-old SX10587 E.J. Martin, 21-year-old SX10458 E.J.L. Slater, 21-year-old SX5517 C. H. Martin and 21-year-old SX5556 R.S. Coats.
His family chose the inscription for his headstone, ‘Remembered by his wife and Children. Peacefully Sleeping’. George’s name is also carried in the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Panel 63.
Both of his younger step-brothers survived the war. Leonard was discharged on the 6th December ’43 and Albert on the 10th February ’44. These two and George’s extended family continued to remember him in the ensuing years on the anniversary of his death.
Advertiser Saturday 16 August 1941, DWYER. —Killed in action on the 1st of August, Private W. A. G. Dwyer, beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Riches, of Ashbrook av., North Norwood, and brother of Cpl. Albert George Riches, and Private Lenard James Riches, A.I.F., abroad. DWYER. —Killed in action on the 1st of August, George, dearly loved brother of Ernest, and brother-in-law of Thelma. His duty nobly done. DWYER.—Killed in action on the 1st of August, Private W. A. G. Dwyer, beloved husband of J. E Dwyer and loving father of Maureen and Kenneth. Aged 28 years. DWYER.—On the 1st of August, Private W. A. G. Dwyer. killed in action.—inserted by Mrs. Crayford and family. Some day we will understand.
Advertiser Saturday 1 August 1942, DWYER.—In loving memory of our dear brother George, killed in action at Tobruk August 2, 1941.—Ever remembered by Bert and Len (2nd A.I.F., Australia). DWYER.—In sacred memory of our beloved son, George, killed in action at Tobruk August 2, 1941. This day and always we still remember.—Inserted by his loving parents. DWYER.—In loving memory of my dear daddy, who was killed in action at Tobruk August 2, 1941.—Sadly missed by his little daughter, Maureen. DWYER.—In loving memory of dear George, killed in action at Tobruk August 2, 1941.—Remembered always by his loving brother and sister-in-law, Ern and Thelma, and little nephews, Dennis and Brian. DWYER.—In loving memory of George, killed in action at Tobruk on August 1, 1941.—Inserted by his loving wife Jean, daughter Maureen, and son Kenneth.
Advertiser Monday 2 August 1943, DWYER. —In loving memory of George, killed in action at Tobruk, August 1, 1941. —Inserted by loving wife, Jean, daughter, Maureen, and son, Ken.
Advertiser Wednesday 2 August 1944, DWYER.—In loving memory of George, killed In action at Tobruk. August 1_ 1941. 2nd/48th Batt.—Ever remembered by his wife and two children. Jean, Maureen and Kenneth. DWYER, Pte. George.—A tribute to the memory of George, killed at Tobruk —Always remembered by Dulcie and Jack. DWYER—ln sacred memory of our dear brother George, who gave his life at Tobruk August 1. 1941. This day and always, we remember. —Inserted" by his loving brother and sister-in-law. Ern (A.I.F). and Thelma, nephews. Dennis and Brian. DWYER.—In memory of our beloved son and father. George. 2/48th. killed in action. 2/8/41.—Inserted by his loving parents and daughter Maureen. God's greatest gift—remembrance.
Advertiser Wednesday 1 August 1945, DWYER.—In loving memory of our dear son George, killed in action Tobruk, August 1. 1941. Forever in our thoughts. —Remembered always by his loving parents and daughter, Maureen. DWYER.—In loving memory of George killed in action. Tobruk. August 1. 1941. —Ever remembered by his loving brother Ern (A.I.F. Borneo). Sitter-in-law Thelma. and nephews. Dennis, Brian.
Advertiser Thursday 1 August 1946, DWYER.—In loving memory of our son George, killed in action, Tobruk, August 1, 1941. For ever in our thoughts.—Inserted by his loving parents and daughter Maureen. DWYER, Pte. W. A. G.—In loving memory of George, killed in action, "Tobruk, August 1, 1941.—Ever remembered by Bert and Vida. DWYER.—In loving memory of George, killed in action, Tobruk, August 1, 1941.—Ever remembered by his loving brother Ern, sister-in-law Thelma, and nephews.
Written and researched by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.