Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George Henry DICKINSON SX7649
George was born in the Adelaide suburb of Rose Park on the 3rd October, 1917 to English born George Edward and Maud Ann (nee Cotter) Dickinson from Port MacDonnell in SA. George also had a sister, Doris May Patricia (later Scott). When George was just 16, his 44-year-old father died on the 12th November 1933.
George soon moved to work in the bustling mid-north town of Peterborough as a boring contractor. Being on the ‘wrong side’ of Goyder’s line, the local farmers were keen to find water on their properties for stock and household use.
George soon met local Audrey Emily Galvin who had graduated from the local Peterborough School in 1931. She was the daughter of Claude Galvin, who moved to Peterborough in 1913 and worked at the Peterborough Co-operative Stores. George became close friends with Audrey and her brother, Merton (Mert). George and Audrey married in 1939 when George was 21 and Audrey 18. They soon had a young son, Barry. However, with the outbreak of WWII there was a big drive by the military in country areas to get local youths and men to sign up. Consequently, George enlisted on the 25th June 1940 aged 22at Peterborough. By July he had arrived at Wayville, where he was allocated the number SX7649 initially with the Tanks Corps but was soon assigned to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, before he and other new enlistees headed to Woodside for their preliminary training.
After brief leave spent back in Peterborough with his young family, the close-knit community held a farewell for the new members of the A.I.F. in the magnificent Town Hall building. The local orchestra led the musical program and dancing to well-known tunes. The Mayor spoke on behalf on the community in farewelling the ten new enlistees of whom George was one. "Ladies and gentlemen, as you are well aware, we are again tonight gathered to pay honor and tribute to the fine array of young Australian Soldiers we have with us. We are all extremely proud of the fact that they are here tonight, proud of the step they have taken, and feel sure that they will play their part, having answered the call of the Empire, and their country. That they are going to honor Australia by their actions is certain, and we hope they will, if possible, exceed the deeds of valor accomplished by the men of the first A.I.F. These young men will probably be sailing away from our shores, and I know it is the hope and desire of everyone that they will have God Speed and a safe return. If that is accomplished, we will have no fear that these young men will come back after victory has been won, crowned with deeds of valor, and I trust we will have the honor of assembling here again to welcome them back.” Other speeches were made by the Returned Soldiers’ Association before the Ladies’ Farwell Parcels Fund presented each man with a parcel. Patriotic singing of the Song of Australia followed before dancing continued until midnight.
The large contingent then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940 and disembarked on the 17th December. George was a little unfortunate to face surgery in January. 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.
Having been in the Middle East for just four months George was killed in action on the 18th April 1941 aged just 23. 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.’ Eventually 209 had to be evacuated, and No 1 Section of 10 Platoon, who had stuck it out all day, withdrew. Privates Bob Christie and George Dickinson made a run for it, after being pinned down for hours, and managed to make company headquarters just as it was hit by a mortar. George Dickinson was killed outright; Bob Christie was so seriously wounded that he later died of wounds.’ This was in attempts to retain Hill 209 which was subjected to intense mortar, machine gun, and artillery fire forcing B company to keep undercover.’
His record indicates that he was buried by his fellow comrades in Grave Number 164 in the Tobruk War Cemetery the following day. The inscription on his headstone now reads ‘Peace Perfect Peace’
Back home, The Chronicle carried the news of his death and others who also were killed ‘Pte. G. H. Dickinson, SX7649, Inf., Peterborough; Pte. Wallace E. Dunn, SX6958, Inf., Wayville; Pte. Edward G. Hextall, SX8285, Inf., Auburn; Pte. Frederick MacNamara, SX7418, Inf., Kingston; Pte. Alan I. Riebe, SX9241, Inf., Waikerie; Pte. Colin S. Tucker, SX8578, Inf., Redfern; Pte. Lionel H. Van Den. Brink, SX7279, Inf., Richmond.’
Less than four years later, his wife, Audrey also faced the death of her father, Claude Galvin, in March, ’45 after only a week in hospital. Prior to that week he had still been actively at work. His two children, Audrey (Mrs J. Dickinson) and Merton, continued to support each other and their mother.
George’s wife Audrey and the extended Galvin family, continued to remember George each year.
Times and Northern Advertiser, Peterborough, South Australia Friday 30 May 1941, Return Thanks. Mrs. A. Dickinson, Mr. and Mrs. C. Galvin and Mert, desire to thank all kind friends for their expressions of sympathy in their recent sad bereavement.
Advertiser Saturday 3 May 1941, DICKINSON. George Henry. —Killed in action on the 18th of April, ever loving son of Maud Ann, and loving brother of Doris, late of Hindmarsh. DICKINSON. —KiIIed in action on the 18th of April, George, dearly loved husband of Audrey and father of little Barry, aged 23 years. Some day we will understand. DICKINSON. —KiIIed in action on the 18th of April, George, dearly loved son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. C. Galvin and brother-in-law of Mert, Peterborough, ever remembered.
Advertiser Saturday 18 April 1942, DICKINSON. —In memory of our beloved husband and daddy. George, who was killed in action Tobruk, April 18 1941. Loved in life, honored In death: A beautiful memory is all we have left, Ever remembered by his loving wife and son, Audrey and Barry. DICKINSON In loving memory of our son in law, George who was killed in action at Tobruk April 18, 1841. Beneath the cross of sacrifice, Within a silent grave, His comrades laid him down to rest, Among the honoured brave. Always unselfish, thoughtful and kind, What a beautiful memory to leave behind. Inserted by his loving mother-in-law and father-in-law, M and C Galvin. DICKINSON In remembrance of George, who died on active service at Tobruk, April 18 1941. Ever remembered by his brother-in-law, Mert. His duty nobly done.
Advertiser Saturday 17 April 1943, DICKINSON. —In loving remembrance of our dear husband and daddy, George, killed in action. Tobruk, April 18. 1941 : We will always remember you darling. — Inserted by his loving wife and son. Audrey and Barry.
Advertiser Monday 19 April 1943, DICKINSON. —A tribute of loving remembrance to our dear son-in-law George, who made the supreme sacrifice at Tobruk on April 18, 1941. We will always remember him.—Inserted by M. and C. Galvin, Peterborough. DICKINSON. —In fond remembrance of my dear brother-in-law George, who was killed on active service at Tobruk, April 18, 1941. —Ever remembered by Mert, Peterborough.
Advertiser Tuesday 18 April 1944, DICKINSON. —In memory of our beloved husband and daddy, George, killed in action, Tobruk, April 18, 1941. Time goes on, but memories stay. —Inserted by his wife and son, Audrey and Barry. DICKINSON. —In fond remembrance of our son-in-law and brother-in-law George, killed in action, Tobruk, April 18, 1941. Resting where no shadows fall. —Inserted by H. and C. Galvin and Herb.
Advertiser Wednesday 18 April 1945, DICKINSON. Pte. George Henry, 5X7649. 2/48th Battalion, AIF. —Fond memories or our beloved husband and father, killed in action Tobruk, April 18, 1941 Thoughts go back to bygone days. Time drifts on but memories stay. —Ever remembered by his loving wife and son. Audrey and Barry. DICKINSON, Private George H., 5X7649. 2/48th Battalion, A.I.F.—In memory of our son-in-law and brother in-law, killed in action. Tobruk. April 18, 1941. He wore no shining medals. Nor could sign his name V.C-: But still he died a hero, to keep Australia free. —Ever remembered by Mum, Kath and Mert.
Advertiser Friday 18 April 1947, DICKINSON — cherished memories of George, our beloved husband and father, killed in action. Tobruk. April 18. 1941. Unseen you walk beside us always. — Sadly, missed by his wife and son. Audrey and Barry. DICKINSON. — In loving memory of our son-in-law and brother-in-law. George, killed. Tobruk. April 18. 1911.— Remembered always by M. Galvin and Mert.
Advertiser Saturday 17 April 1948, DICKINSON. —In loving remembrance of my son-in-law George killed in action at Tobruk. April 18 1941.-Ever remembered by M. Galvin. DICKINSON. — Memories of our beloved husband and daddy. who died in action Tobruk April 18 1941.-Sadly missed and longed for always by his wife and son, Audrey and Barry. DICKINSON. —In loving memory of our dear brother-in-law killed in action at Tobruk. April 18 1941. Always remembered by Mert and Kathy.
Advertiser Monday 18 April 1949, DICKINSON. —In loving memory of our brother-in-law, killed in action, Tobruk, April 18, 1941. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. —Ever remembered by Mert and Kath. DICKINSON. —Loving memories of our dear husband and father George, died April 18, 1941, at Tobruk. —Always remembered by Audrey and Barry. DICKINSON. —In loving memory of my son-in-law George, who gave his life at Tobruk April 18, 1941. —Al-ways remembered by M. Galvin.
Advertiser Tuesday 18 April 1950, DICKINSON. —Loving memories of George, killed in action, Tobruk, April 18, 1941. —Always remembered by his wife, son and mother-in-law, Audrey, Barry and M. Galvin. DICKINSON. —In loving memory of our dear brother-in-law, George, killed in action at Tobruk, April 18, 1941. We will remember them. — Sadly missed by Mert, Kath and family.
Advertiser Wednesday 18 April 1951, DICKINSON, George Henry.— Memories of our beloved husband and father, killed, Tobruk, April 18, 1941. — Always remembered by Audrey and Barry. DICKINSON. — In loving memory of George, who was killed in action at Tobruk, April 18 1941. We will always remember you. —Inserted by his mother-in-law, M. Galvin, and son Barry. DICKINSON. — In loving memory of our brother-in-law George, killed in action at Tobruk, April 18, 1941. — Always remembered Mert and Kath Galvin.
Advertiser Friday 18 April 1952, DICKINSON. — In loving_ memory of my dear son-in-law George, killed at Tobruk. April 18. 1941.— Always remembered by M. Calvin. DICKINSON. — In loving memory of our brother-in-law George, killed in action at Tobruk. April 18, 1941. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. — Always remembered by Mert, Kath and family.
Advertiser Saturday 18 April 1953, DICKINSON. — Loving memories of our husband and father, George. killed in action, Tobruk. 1941 We will always remember you. —Audrey and Barry DICKINSON. — In loving memory of my son-in-law. George, killed in action at Tobruk, April 18, 1941. — Fondly remembered by M. Galvin. DICKINSON. — In loving memory of our brother-in-law, George, killed in action. Tobruk. April 18, 1941. — Ever remembered by Mert, Kath and family.
Advertiser Saturday 17 April 1954, DICKINSON. — In loving memory- of my son-in-law George killed at Tobruk. April 17. 1941 — Fondly remembered by M Galvin.
George’s mother, Maud Ann lived to be 75 and died in June 1958. Both she and her husband George Edward are buried in the Cheltenham Cemetery. His sister, Doris married Kenneth Scott in 1944. Their second child, a son born in June ’49 and was named Kenneth George, retaining the family first name.
George’s name and that of Bryan Holmes are both inscribed on the Peterborough War Memorial in the main street and also in the magnificent Town Hall, from which George was farewelled.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.