Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George Ludgate HAVERS SX7882
Born in the mid-north town of Clare on the 25th July 1914 to William George and Alvina Bertha Havers, George Ludgate was one of four children and their only son. His three sisters were Audrey. Beatrice and Jean.
George attended the Kadina Memorial High School, passing his Qualifying Exam in 1927 and being presented with his certificate by the local Mayor at the end of year school break-up.
George played football for Wallaroo in the local competition where he was reported as being ‘a promising youth and before long will rank amongst the foremost of our Peninsula players.’ He was also regarded as an integral part of the local cricket team.
In his early twenties, George had moved to Torrensville where he was a labourer when he had an altercation with the law. Fortunately, a number of witnesses were able to testify to his good character so he was released with a good behaviour bond. He later met Rita Doris Elizabeth Ross of Urania, a farming area near Mount Rat. The two married but with the outbreak of WWII and just prior to his 26th birthday, George enlisted on the 5th July, 1940.
George subsequently becoming SX7885 in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before the new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training. The large contingent embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940.
His 2/48th Battalion completed a few months training in Cyrenaica before going to Tobruk at the start of April 1941 where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees.
Within four months of arriving, George was killed in action on the 18th April 1941. John G Glenn in his book ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ describes conditions that George faced. ‘The whole day B Company was again harassed by very accurate mortar fire. One mortar bomb made a direct hit on the pit occupied by the stretcher bearers and a B Company driver, who were waiting to go forward to tend to the wounded. Five of them were killed and two were wounded, one of them dying later in the day.’
Back home, the Chronicle of 15 May ’41 carried the news of George’s death and also of Stanley Button SX8712 who was killed the same day. A third member of the 2/48th, Albert Tanner, SX7368, who died on the 22nd April was also listed. The 2/48th was one of the most highly decimated but decorated Battalions by War’s end.
George’s heartbroken young wife, Rita posted the news in the Yorketown Pioneer. “HAVERS — Killed in action (abroad), on the 18th April, 1941, Pte. George L., 2nd A.I.F., late of Urania, Y.P., loving husband of Rita Havers, of Mount Rat. "Peacefully sleeping."
Typical of close country communities, his Kadina Memorial High School’s Old Scholars’ Association also remembered George and paid their deep respects at his death. He was the first recorded casualty of past students for whom the President expressed the Association’s regret. Within two years, The Kadina and Wallaroo Times of 16 April 1943 reported that ‘over 300 old scholars were in the services—-a record of which any school could be proud. It was with deep regret that they recorded that eleven old scholars had paid the supreme sacrifice with George named as one of those. Similarly, his childhood town of Clare also carried a tribute to George in the ‘Northern Argus’ of May ’41, along with the added information that ‘Amongst his many relatives now residing in Clare is his grandfather. Mr. Richard Winkler, of Strickland Street, Clare, a 75-year-old returned soldier of the last war, who is probably the oldest returned soldier in these or adjoining districts.’ George’s name was then noted to be added to the local Honor Roll.
Ethel Jean, George’s sister, after George’s death, enlisted as an aircraftwoman in the Royal Australian Air Force on 25th October, 1943. Perhaps it was also her way of honouring George, too.
George is commemorated at the Tobruk War Cemetery. His tribute reads ‘So Dearly loved, so sadly missed.’ Pte Wallace Dunn SX6958, George Havers SX7882 and Edward Hextall SX8285, all of the 2/48th who died on the 18th April 1941 are together with George in Plot III, Row K. He is also commemorated on the Roll of Honor at Port Victoria on the Yorke Peninsula.
George’s wife and family continued to remember him each year.
Advertiser Saturday 18 April 1942, HAVERS Pte G.L. In loving memory of my loving husband, George (A.I.F) killed in action in the Battle of Tobruk. -I cherish sweet memories that are only my own, My memories go back to the days that have been, A silent though brings many a tear Of one I miss and loved so dear. What a beautiful memory to leave behind. Lovingly remembered by his wife Rita. HAVERS In loving memory of our dear son and brother. George, -who was killed at Tobruk April 18, 1941. A precious one from us is gone, A voice we loved is stilled, A place is vacant in our home Than can never be filled. Some day when life’s journey is ended, We shall see our dear son again. Ever remembered by his loving mother, father and sisters.
Advertiser Saturday 17 April 1943, HAVERS. —In loving memory of our dear son, George, killed in action at Tobruk, April 18, 1941. a silent thought brings many a tear of one we miss and love so dear. —Ever remembered by his loving mum and dad. HAVERS. Pt. G. L., 2nd A.I.F. —In loving memory of my dear husband George, killed April 18, 1941. at Tobruk Deep in my heart your memory is kept. I who loved you will never forget. —inserted by his loving wife. Rita. HAVERS. — in memory of our dear brother, George, killed at Tobruk. April 18. 1941. Memory is a golden chain that links us till we meet again. —Ever remembered by his. sisters Audrey. Beatrice and Jean.
Advertiser Tuesday 18 April 1944, HAVERS. —In loving memory of our dear brother George, who was killed in action at Tobruk, April 18, 1941. —Ever remembered by Audrey, Jean, Beatrice and Fred. HAVERS. —In loving memory of our dear son, George, killed at Tobruk, April 18, 1941. A silent thought brings many a tear, of one we lost and loved so dear. —Ever remembered by his loving parents. HAVERS. —In loving memory of dear George, killed Tobruk, April 18, 1941. I have lost my life's companion. It is sad and lonely here, dear, as I walk through life alone. —Missed by his loving wife Rita.
Advertiser Wednesday 18 April 1945, HAVERS. George. —ln loving memory of my dear husband 2/48th Battalion, killed in action. April 18. 1941. Not a day do I forget you. In my heart you're always near; I who loved you sadly miss you. As it dawns another year. —Ever remembered by his loving wife Rita. HAVERS. —In loving memory or our dearly loved son George, 2nd/48th. lost his life in action, April 18. 194L at Tobruk. At the heavenly gate he will meet us with the same sweet smile; We are only parted, dear son and brother. Just for a little while. —Ever remembered by his loving mum and dad and sisters Audrey and Jean. HAVERS. —In loving memory of our dear brother George, lost his life in action, April 16, 1941. at Tobruk. May the sunshine he missed in life's highway. Be found In God's garden of rest. —Lovingly remembered by his- loving sister Beatrice and brother-in-law Fred.
Pioneer Friday 13 April 1945, HAVERS—In loving memory of my dear husband George, 2/48th Battn., killed in action at Tobruk, April 18,1941 Not a day do I forget you In my heart you're always near I, who loved von, sadly miss you As it dawns another year. Ever remembered by his loving wife Rita.
Advertiser Thursday 18 April 1946, HAVERS. —In loving memory of our dear brother George. A tender chord of memory is softly touched today. —Ever remembered- by his sister Beatrice and Fred Menz. HAVERS. —In memory of our dear brother George. May the sunshine he missed on life's pathway, be found in God's garden of rest. —Lovingly remembered by sisters Audrey and Jean. HAVERS. —Loving memories of our dearly loved son George, lost his life at Tobruk, April 18. 1941. Not just today, but every day is silence, we remember. —So sadly missed by his loving parents. HAVERS. — In loving memory of George. killed in action. April 18. 1941. I am thinking of you today, dear George: thinking of the past, picturing you in memory, just as I saw you last. —Sadly missed by his loving wife Rita.
Advertiser Friday 18 April 1947, HAVERS. — In loving memory of our dear son. George, who lost his life at Tobruk. April 18. 1941. Resting, where no shadows fall. — Dearly loved by his mum and dad. HAVERS. — In proud and loving memory of our brother, George, killed at Tobruk. 1941. 2/48th Batt. — Beatrice and Fred. HAVERS. — In loving memory of our dear brother. George, killed at Tobruk, 1911. — Sadly missed by Audrey and Jean HAVERS. — In loving memory of my dear husband. George, killed in action at Tobruk. April 18. 1941. Life moves on but memory stays. — Always remembered by his loving wife, Rita.
Advertiser Monday 19 April 1948, HAVERS. —In cherished and proud memory of my dear husband George - killed in action. April 18, 1941. at Tobruk. —Sadly missed by his loving wife Rita. HAVERS. —Loving memories of our dearly loved son George, who lost his life at Tobruk, April 18. 1941.—Sadly missed by his loving mum and dad. HAVERS. —Loving memories of my brother George, passed away April 18, 1941, at Tobruk. Time drifts on but I shall never forget you. —Audrey HAVERS. —In loving memory of our dear brother George, killed in action at Tobruk. April 18, 1941. —Ever re-membered by Beatrice and Fred.
Advertiser Monday 18 April 1949, HAVERS. —In loving memory of my dear husband George, killed in action April 18, 1941. A thought for today, a memory for ever. —Always remembered by his loving wife Rita. HAVERS. —In loving remembrance of our dearly loved son George, who lost his life at Tobruk April 18, 1941. —Sadly missed by his loving mum and dad. HAVERS. —In loving memory of our dear brother George, gave his life at Tobruk April 18, 1941. —Ever remembered by Jean and Keith. HAVERS, George L.—In fondest memory of our dear brother George, killed in action, Tobruk, April 18, 1940. —Ever remembered by Beatrice and Fred.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.