Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George was the second son born on the 5th January, 1916 in Broken Hill, an isolated city in the outback, on the New South Wales and South Australian border. This area is rich in minerals, especially silver, lead and zinc and constantly attracted workers. George’s parents were James Patrick and Ellen Elizabeth Hoare. James was born at Carrieton in the Flinders Rangers of South Australia but had lived at The Hill since boyhood where he worked in the mines for many years before working on the land at Pooncarie Station. He then took over the Fowler's Gap Hotel for several years but returned to Broken Hill in early 1930. He and Elizabeth had eleven children, five boys and six girls. Sadly, in 1931, just after George’s 13th birthday, his 54-year-old father died at home and was buried in the Roman Catholic section of the Broken Hill Cemetery.
Following in their father’s footsteps, post-school, George and his brothers worked as farm hands and were often were out droving with stock from nearby stations and until the outbreak of WWII. At that time an active campaign was created to encourage young men to enlist to fight, particularly those fit young men from country areas. This meant that Broken Hill was an ideal recruiting ground as it had quite a large proportion of single men. A report from the local ‘Barrier Miner’ in November ’39 reported that ‘Recruiting reopened today, and in the morning session 10 men were accepted. None were objected to because of man power restrictions, and one man was rejected because he was under the required height—5ft. 6in.’
By July the following year, three of the older Hoare brothers, 25-year-old John Nye, 24-year-old George Francis and 21-year-old Patrick, were named in a group of seven newly enlisted local young men. Tellingly, the ‘Barrier Miner’ that month added that ‘A fourth and younger son who filled in his papers last night, could not obtain his parent's consent today. He was the fifth member of the Hoare family to apply for enlistment. Another brother made application to join the 2/8th Field Ambulance, but was rejected because he was medically unfit’. It becomes obvious that the fourth son, William Edward did manage to convince Ellen that he could enlist as by the 8th July the four brothers were on the train for Adelaide for their second medical before going into camp for training. The local Broken Hill Returned Soldiers’ League instituted a practice that the young recruits would be provided with a free breakfast at the Riverton railway refreshment rooms. On their trip down, the Hoare brothers made up half of the eight-man contingent.
Officially the brothers enlisted on the 10th July, 1940 at Wayville in South Australia and were allocated successive numbers, John SX8467, Patrick SX8468, William Howard SX8469, and George SX8470 and all were allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Following training in the bleak conditions of Woodside, by the end of the month Patrick was back home in the Broken Hill hospital as part of his leave allocation, but being treated for pneumonia with three other fellow enlistees. He did recover and was soon back with his Battalion.
A beautifully written piece was published in the ‘Barrier Miner’ at the end of October ’40: ‘Touching Scene "The widow's son"--A phrase which at the very dawn of the Christian era evoked sympathy but how much more poignant the little scene at the railway station on Wednesday night when a widow said goodbye to four of her sons, who belong to the A.I.F. A fifth son had enlisted, but had been rejected. The mother was Mrs. J. Hoare, and her sons, Messrs. Jack, George, Pat and Bill Hoare. While on leave a party was arranged in their honor by their aunt, Mrs. J. Howley, and about 40 other members of the fighting forces on leave in Broken Hill were also invited to the function, together with their relatives and friends. In all about 300 people attended Tait's Masonic Hall, which had been loaned by Mrs Dearlove. The hall was beflagged, and when the party broke up, resounded to the strains of "Auld Lang Syne."’
They left on the ‘Stratheden’ on the 7th November heading for the Middle East, landing on the 17th. Their fate in Tobruk and beyond was yet to be written. The brothers initially came to be known as the ‘Four musketeers from Broken Hill’ who wrote regularly to their mother, with their photo and a thank you published in the ‘Barrier Miner’ in March ’41 stating that ‘Word has been received from the four musketeers of Broken Hill George, Jack. Bill, and Joe Hoare who are overseas on service with the A.I.F. The Hoare brothers were members of a party of drovers who enlisted in a body at the local recruiting depot last year. Another brother also enlisted, but was rejected as medically unfit. In a letter to their parents they state they have been getting many gifts from the Comforts Fund, and cannot understand the criticism that has been levelled at this fund by returning men. They mention they have seen "Gidder" Castle, who has been sent from England, and Jack Toohey.’
About the same time, George was involved in action out of Benghazi but had been ordered to withdraw, despite wanting to make a stand in what was seen as favourable conditions. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John Glenn describes ‘The battalion was very poorly equipped to withstand a really determined attack. All were tired, unwashed, bewildered. However, a withdrawal it had to be. We didn’t know where we were going or why. The orders “Follow the road and go fast” only added to our bewilderment.’ He described a three-ton Spa at the head of the column, but unfortunately it had no floorboards when men tried to alight. ‘However, few of the men could raise a laugh as they scrambled on board wherever they could. Some even used a table-top lorry that was being towed behind a truck driven by George Hoare. But this didn’t last long; the trailer couldn’t take the bends, and it was pushed over the side, leaving the men to go into the following overloaded trucks. This was the beginning of what was to prove a night that would not be forgotten by those who took part in it.’
Back home, any news of the men overseas was shared through the local newspapers. A letter from Pte. Cal Howely was published in June ’41 with the ‘Barrier Daily Truth’ reporting ‘his friends will be glad to know that he has been in action and in the best of health. Cal was one of the first local boys to enlist, and one of the first to go overseas. He was very happy to encounter the four Hoare boys, who are cousins of his, a few days before he wrote the letter, and he also wished to be remembered to his friends at home.’ Another local, Private Collin Campbell, also serving in the Middle East reported: 'Things are very tough out here in the desert. The dust storms are ten times worse than In Broken Hill and they blow for days and days at a time. The din of bombing and shell fire, and machine gun fire are terrific at times.’ This was Tobruk and the makings of the Rats of Tobruk.
The brothers managed the dust and privation of the terrain and also to keep track of each other. However, on the 25th October, ’42 in Egypt, George learned of the death of his younger brother, 22-year-old Patrick who was killed in the fierce fighting to capture Trig 29. Charles Holman (SX13570), also from Broken Hill, who enlisted at a similar time, was killed in the same offensive. The 2/48th Battalion experienced a number of casualties. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John Glenn described that ‘the 2/48th had stirred up a real hornets’ nest.’ On that night alone nine of the Battalion were killed and 20 wounded in action. Of these16 were from South Australia and the remainder from Western Australia. ’Patrols of both sides were active; a number of clashes occurred in No Man’s Land. In the early hours of the morning a strong enemy patrol, led by a German officer, approached the left flank of D Company; there they came under the fire of Pat Hoare’s Bren gun. The officer soon fell, whereupon the patrol withdrew, carrying their wounded.’
‘At last light on the same front some three hundred enemy troops attacked, and D Company area was swept by small arms fire. During the action Private Pat Hoare was killed and Lance-Corporal Henry Lohmann was so badly hit that he died soon after.’
The Barrier Miner on the 11th November ’42 carried the news of Patrick and Charles’s deaths. ‘PRIVATE Patrick Hoare (23), son of Mrs. J. Hoare, of Lane, and the late Mr. J. Hoare, has been reported killed in action in Egypt. Pte. Charles Holman; of Marks Street, has also been reported killed in action in Egypt. These casualties were announced today. Pte. Hoare is one of four brothers who enlisted together in Broken Hill and have been abroad for two years. The other brothers are Ptes. Jack, George and William Hoare. A fourth brother, Mr. J. W. Hoare, who is prominent in A.R.P. circles, was rejected by the A.I.F. Mrs. Hoare was notified in a tele-gram this morning. As the telegram delivery boy left her home she called to her daughter, "I have another cable; come and hear the news." She received a severe shock to read the tragic news. The four brothers, who have been together right through their A.I.F. service, have been in the habit of cabling once a week stating that they were well. Pte. Patrick Hoare was 23 years of age. He was born in Broken Hill. The four brothers in the A.I.F. had all been engaged on station work.’ The Barrier Daily Truth further explained that they had missed cabling home ‘owing to their being in action. It was a shock for the Hoare family to find that instead of a further cable from the boys, the telegram told of the death of one of them.
By February ’43 the boys’ mother, Ellen had received a cable that her boys were back in Australia after their service in the Middle East. The ‘Barrier Daily Truth’ recorded that Mrs. E. Hoare, of Lone Lane, who had word from her sons, Pte. Jack and Pte. Bill Hoare after two years and three months of active service. ‘Mrs. Hoare is still hopeful that she will have news of the return of her eldest son. Her four boys all served together overseas. One lost his life in action a few months ago, but the other three have been together until recently, to the best of her belief.’ In reality, John had already left the Middle East and arrived back in Melbourne on the 25th February.
George followed his brothers home and was officially was discharged in April ’43, five months after Patrick’s death. His youngest sister, Eileen, a member of the WAAAF’s was able to organise her wedding that month to Stanley Olds (S20721) at short notice to coincide with both being able to gain leave.
Returning to civilian life was frequently a challenge for those who served. Just prior to Christmas ’45 George, described as an outback visitor who was under the influence of alcohol ‘got into an argument over money with two men near Martin's Corner and engaged in a fight’ resulting in one man being knocked against a window. Consequently, George was charged and convicted of offensive behaviour and fined 30/- in default three days' imprisonment. John and William remained with the 2/48th and travelled to Queensland to train for a very different war against a different enemy in New Guinea.
Back home, a pamphlet was sponsored by the Lady Mayoress, appealing for whole hearted support of the First Victory Loan. It contained messages from six local Broken Hill women all closely connected with the war effort who well appreciated the constant need for money to end the war as quickly as possible. Each woman was chosen because of her connection with some particular branch of war service. The ‘Barrier Daily Truth’ explained that ‘no-one has a closer link with the AIF than Mrs. E. E. Hoare. of 636 Lane Lane, Broken Hill is proud of her four sons who enlisted early in the war.’ She and the other five women were congratulated on their ‘stirring and personal method of approach to Broken Hill women…so that ‘ millions like them will live in a peaceful world once more.’
In November 1945 a large Armistice Celebration was held at the Broken Hill Soldiers’ Memorial. It was the first ceremony held at the Fallen Soldiers' clock to celebrate the first Armistice of World War ll. A huge number of returned servicemen from both wars attended with floral tributes from both public and private citizens being laid. The ‘Barrier Miner’ reported that there were wreaths ‘In memory of Pte. Pat Hoare, killed in action at El Alamein, October 25, 1943, ever remembered by his loving mother, sisters, sisters-in-law, brothers, and brothers-in-law; In memory of Pte. Roy Toohey, killed in action at Tarakan on May 6, 1945 ever remembered by Mrs. E. Hoare and family; In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. William O'Reilly, killed in action on Bougainville, July, 1945, ever remembered by his loving mother, father, sister and brothers; Loving memory of Pte. A. R. Wright, killed in action, Palestine, Nov. 6, 1917, and Pte. J. D. (Snowy) Wright (10th Batt.), died November 6, 1927, from loving sister and brother-in-law (Mrs. and Mr. R. Goudie).
As so many Broken Hill young men had enlisted to serve, Anzac Day celebrations were always a poignant tribute to the fallen of both World Wars. The ’47 Dawn service was described in the Barrier Daily Truth. ‘Just before dawn groups of men sending near the Soldiers Hostel formed up and marched to the war memorial; past the crowd of silent citizens where they gathered as 'Stand To' and then the 'Last Post' and 'Reveille' were played by Bugler J. Keenen, as the first streaks of dawn appealed in the eastern sky. The impressive short ceremony was pregnant with meaning and the spirit of Anzac as the long dead comrades and friends came to mind. No one but felt the deep solemnity of this occasion, the 32nd Anzac Day. By daylight the Memorial presented a beautiful sight bedecked with the numbers of wreaths from relatives and friends.’ Wreaths were laid for the two friends in the 2/48th Battalion, killed at the same time – George’s brother, Private Patrick Hoare and L/Cpl Charles Holman with each wreath being from their family and friends. They were not forgotten.
George died on the 13th January 1980, just after his 64th birthday. He is buried in the Broken Hill Cemetery as are so many of his family.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.