Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George was the first-born son and third of Jessie Matilda and William Joseph ‘Butcher’ Molloy’s seven children. Born in Adelaide on the 8th September, 1906, his siblings included Annie May, Mary Irene, Jessie Mary, Rose Matilda, Dorothy Esther and William Ernest.

George worked as a labourer, marrying Margaret Mary Lehmann on the 3rd November, ’34 in Adelaide. The young couple then lived in Forestville where they later welcomed a son, Anthony John.
George had been actively involved in military training for four years prior to him enlisting to serve in WWII on the 29th June ’40. He was 33 years old and was allocated to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. His early army days were spent at Wayville, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before the battalion headed to Woodside in the Adelaide Hills for preliminary training.

Following pre-embarkation leave, George and his fellow members of the 2/48th Battalion then embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 17th December 1940. Further desert training in Cyrenaica followed for a few months, but the desert conditions were particularly challenging as the men trained to adapt to warfare, heat and the locals. By early ’42 George contracted bronchitis, spending several days with the Australian Field Ambulance before being able to re-joining his battalion.

Soon after, whilst still in Dimra, George faced a charge of acting ‘to the prejudice of good order and military discipline’ but was fortunate to escape with an admonishment. By March George was refining his cooking skills, becoming a Group II Cook. In the ensuing months he continued to undertake more Cooking Courses, of particular value to his battalion. Unfortunately, illness again affected him, so the end of his battalion’s role in the Middle East was very welcome as he left in March ’43 to return to Australia via Melbourne.

Training in Queensland followed leave where George had precious time with his family. The 2/48th prepared for fighting against a very different enemy in the tropical conditions of New Guinea. By July ‘43 George was promoted to A/Corporal and continued to gain further qualifications as a 3rd Class Cook in August. George was then on his way to Milne Bay and service in New Guinea. Soon after arriving, George injured the interphalangeal joint of his hand in October, affecting his ability to flex and extend his fingers and allow the fine motor movements necessary for so many daily tasks, particularly as a cook. This was treated but his range of movement was still restricted. By the end of the year, George was promoted to Corporal.

The tropical conditions began to affect so many of the soldiers, with George contracting Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (PUO) and being affected by a very high fever and general body aches in February ’44. A fracture to the ring finger of his left hand in April contributed to more discomfort, soon followed by debilitating Dengue Fever, then malaria, both carried by mosquitoes. George was not a well man. Finally, he headed home to Australia via Brisbane at the end of 1944.

George was fortunate to be back in South Australia in November preparing for his discharge. This gave him the opportunity to have precious time with his father, William Joseph who aged 65, died in hospital on the 4th December 1944. William was later buried in the West Terrace Cemetery.

George was formally discharged in January ’45, carrying the effects of his hand injury where the top joint of his right ring finger was missing. His mother lived to see her son home and Australia to enjoy peacetime. Aged 68 Jessie died on July 14th 1951 at Calvary Hospital.

Aged 67, George died on the 17th July ’74 with a plaque to his memory being placed in the Centennial Park Cemetery. His wife Margaret was also later interred in the same cemetery; Catholic H Path 25 Grave 1415 in ’87.

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