Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Port Pirie born on the 19th December 1913, John George William was the son of William Henry and Isabella Jane Cottell. John quickly became known as George. His siblings included older brothers Alfred and Norman and sisters Gladion, Doris and Eva.
Their father, William was actively involved as a Freemason and Master the Pirie Masonic Lodge No. 24. He worked as a timekeeper at the smelters before joining Fisher and Sons, grain and chaff merchants, later moving the family to to Gladstone with the same company. The children then attended the local school. At the time after the War to End All Wars, communities were particularly aware of the importance of Peace, celebrating Peace Day in September. The 1919 celebration was huge, beginning with a gathering at the Town Hall, followed by the singing of the National Anthem and a march behind the Union Jack carried by returned soldiers and sailors carrying the red and white ensign Flag of Australia. The afternoon featured sporting competitions for children. That day, George won the First Grade run and the Under 5 competition. (His sister, Eva, also proved to be competitive, winning the 6th Grade run and skipping events, while brother Norman featured in the Boy Scouts events.)
Two years later following the laying of a Foundation Stone for the Memorial Hall honouring those who had fallen, another fair was held to raise further funds for the construction. Besides numerous stalls, children’s races were held, with George again winning his division and coming second in the three-legged race. Eva repeated her wins in both the flat race and skipping.
The family later moved to Camden. To earn extra money, after school 14-year-old George sold the evening newspaper outside a local shop and had his regular clients. Unfortunately, he was witness to a collision early in the evening between a delivery cart and bus at the intersection of the Bay-Road and Morphett-avenue. George was about to cross the road to hand-deliver the newspaper to one of his ‘regulars’ when he saw the bus, just seconds before the accident occurred. There were multiple injuries and George became an important eye witness.
Sadly, just days prior to George’s 15th birthday in ‘28, his sister, 19-year-old Gladion Hilda died in the Adelaide Hospital following a lengthy illness. George experienced another family loss as a 24-year-old when his 70-year-old father, William died in March ’37 having had failing health for many years. He was buried in the Cheltenham Cemetery with his daughter.
George worked as a farm hand, also serving in the 13th Field Artillery Brigade. However, with the outbreak of WWII aged 26, he enlisted on the 3rd July ’40 and was allocated the number SX7692 and placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. He quickly learned about punctuality and military discipline with two early incidents of being ‘late’, the second incident resulting in him being confined to barracks for a hefty three days following an absence of less than a day ‘celebrating’. He paid an added price while on board the Stratheden heading to the Middle East, being treated in hospital.
Further breaches of absences occurred early in ’41 with a total of nine days confined to barracks and further specialist hospitalisation. George earned the proudly held but unofficial title of being a Rat of Tobruk – a taunt designed to destroy moral of the troops, but which had the opposite effect, becoming a badge of honour. George finally returned to his original 2/48th Battalion in August ‘42 and was graded a Group III Gunlayer, involved in calculating the angle, environmental factors and the aiming and adjusting of the large artillery gun’s elevation.
Finally, by February ’43 George’s battalion headed home to Australia via Melbourne. Unfortunately, his physical health deteriorated with rheumatism and arthritis being diagnosed that year. This was followed by several other health issues including anxiety state and an upper respiratory tract infection. However, training in Queensland continued and George was sent to New Guinea for about six months, returning to Brisbane in February ‘44 with osteoarthritis issues and fibrositis in his left shoulder. This precipitated a return to absenteeism, the inevitable fine and being confined to barracks for three days. Capsulitis of his shoulder (‘frozen shoulder’) was finally diagnosed in September and contributed to his eventual discharge on the 14th October ’44.
Just prior to Christmas in ’49, George went to the aid of a plasterer who had fallen from his bike at Cowandilla. Rather than thanks, the plasterer assaulted George before attacking and pulling down a nearby cyclone fence in a bizarre response. It was an expensive reaction resulting in fines, costs, and compensation of a total of £10/3/6.
Aged 64, George died on the 16th December 1978 with a plaque honouring his life and that of his wife, 82 Dorothy Ellen, who died 8th May ’97 in the Salisbury Memorial Park.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.