Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George Gordon Richardson SX7052
George was born in Rose Park, an eastern suburb of Adelaide on the 4th March, 1913. His parents were Mary Minnie and John George Richardson. Hie was the second son after older brother John and younger, Robert Roy (Bob) who also enlisted as SX5291 in the A.I.F. George also had a number of sisters including Grace, May, Kath, Flo, Helen Mary and Dorothy.
Post school George became a haversack maker, creating shoulder-carried bags, often made of canvas. A combination of the death of his 59-year-old mother, Minnie on the 3rd March 1940 and the outbreak of WWII, saw George enlisting on the 29th June, 1940, aged 27 to become SX7052. Just a few days later, 17-year-old Reg Humphrys also enlisted, recording his age as 20, on July 3rd 1940. He was allocated the number SX7704. They were both to be assigned to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion, and, despite their ten-year difference in ages, their lives were to be inextricably linked. Their 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. While on pre-embarkation leave, from the 15th to the 22nd George married Rose Irene Hecker on the 17th of October 1940 at the St. George's Church. Goodwood, on Saturday, the 12th of October, at 7 p.m. It was a joyous affair with fellow enlistees from the 2/48th battalion forming a guard of honour. Rose’s brother Bill performed the ‘giving away’ role while his wife was the Matron of Honor. George chose his brother as his best man. A full description of the wedding appeared in the News, recording the dusky pink dress trimmed with white beads worn by Rose.
Rose and George’s idyllic time together was short lived as less than a month later, the large 2/48th contingent embarked on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940.
Their 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. They were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk. George was promoted to Lieutenant Corporal in June ‘41. Just two months later on the 11th August he was Killed in Action.
Fighting in the Salient alongside the 2/43rd, the troops came up against strong and accurate machine gun fire and were forced to withdraw. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John Glenn describes that “At this time C and D Companies were tensely waiting for the success signal and the order to move forward. Anxious eyes peered towards the posts as shells burst right around the front. The 2/48th had suffered casualties as they waited; Lance Corporal G Richardson and Private R.B. Humphrys had been killed and Private John L Duffield (Riverland) and Private L.O. Samuel had been wounded.”
Eight soldiers from the South Australian 2/43rd and three from the 2/10th were also killed that day. A tragic day for their fellow soldiers and families back home. George was 28 and Reg was just 18 years old (although his Army record state that he was 21.)
Back home, The Chronicle reported their deaths on the 21st August. George was initially buried in the Tobruk War Cemetery in grave 638 but later he and Reg Humphrys were interred in the Tobruk War Cemetery, Reg in Grave 4.P.9 and George alongside in grave 4.P.10. George’s inscription now reads ‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning we remember.’ Reg’s carries the words ‘Loving memories of our son Reg. Always remembered.’
Three years later, George’s father, John died aged 62 on the 21st October 1944. Both parents were interred at Centennial Park, Passadena. Their headstone also carries a memorial inscription in memory of George.
Rose reverted to her maiden name and married Edward Harman with whom she had a family. George was posthumously awarded the 1939/45 Star, African Star, War Medal and Australian War Medal which were posted to Rose in February, 1953.
George continued to be remembered by his and Rose’s family. Those with whom he fought also continued to pay tribute to him. They included Pte Jack Cox, Alf Ryan, Bonnie Bonython Mick Hobbs and Ralph Adams.
Advertiser 1941, RICHARDSON. George Gordon. —Killed in action on the 3rd of August. A.I.F. abroad, —Inserted by brother Jack and sister-in-law Nina RICHARDSON. George Gordon.—Killed In action on the 3rd of August. A.I.F. abroad, beloved husband of Rose and brother of Bob (A.I.F. abroad). and Henry. RICHARDSON. George. —Killed In action, on the 3rd of August (AIF abroad). —Inserted by brother-in-law. Bill, and Phyllis. RICHARDSON. George. —Killed in action. 3rd ot August. "They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun. and in the morning, we will remember them." Deeply mourned by pals. May and Ben Cockrell.
Advertiser August 1942, RICHARDSON. —In loving memory of L/Cpl G. G. Richardson, A.I.F., killed in action at Tobruk August 3, 1941. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. —Inserted by his friends at Newton. RICHARDSON. —In memory of George killed in action Tobruk, August 3, 1941. We have but faith we cannot know for knowledge is of things we see. And yet we trust it comes from thee A beam in darkness let it grow. Inserted by brother Jack and sister-in-law Nina. RICHARDSON, George — Killed in action August 3, 1941. Tobruk. dearly loved son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Hecker His duty nobly done. RICHARDSON. —In loving memory of our dear brother, George, who was killed action August 3, 1941. We'll meet again don't know where don't know when. But we'll meet again some sunny day Ever remembered by sisters Grace, May, Kath, Flo, and brothers-in-law Vic and Sid. RICHARDSON. —In loving memory of George killed on August 3, 1941. at Tobruk. —Ever remembered by his loving paI, Jack Cox, A.I.F., abroad. RICHARDSON, George. —Killed at Tobruk an August 3, 1941. He shall not grow old, as we grow old—Ever remembered by his sister Dorothy, and brother-in-law, Norman. RICHARDSON. —In memory of George, killed in action at Tobruk on August 3, 1941. And the stately ships go on to their haven, under the hill. But, oh, for the touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still. -Inserted by his brothers, Bob (A.I.F., abroad) and Henry. RICHARDSON. —In memory of George killed in action at Tobruk on August 3, 1941. Too far away your grave to see. But not too far to think of thee, —Inserted by his sister Helen and brother-in-law Murray. RICHARDSON, George—Killed in action at Tobruk on August 3, 1941. Just to show, dear George, we still remember. —Inserted by May and Bert Cockrell. George Richardson, killed at Tobruk on August 3, 1941 His manly form lies in a far-off grave But his name lives forever with Australian brave. —Inserted by his devoted comrade. Pte. J. Cox (A.I.F., abroad). RICHARDSON. —In loving memory of our dear brother, George, who was killed in action on August 3, 1941. —Ever remembered by his loving sisters, Helen and Mary. RICHARDSON. —In loving memory of my dear husband, L-Cpl. George, who was killed in action on August 3, 1941. He shall not grow old. As we who are left grow old. Time shall not weary him Neither the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember him. —Ever remembered by his loving wife, Rose. RICHARDSON. —In loving memory of my mate, George, who was killed in action on August 3. 1941. Too far away your grave to see. But not too far to think of thee, —Inserted by Alf Ryan returned A.I.F. and his mates abroad.
Advertiser August 1943, RICHARDSON. —In memory of our dear brother, George, killed in action August 3, 1941. —Ever remembered by sisters Grace, May, Mary and Flo. RICHARDSON. —A tribute to George, killed Tobruk, August 3, 1941. He shall not grow old as we that are left to grow old. —Ever remembered by sister Dorothy, brother-in-law Norman RICHARDSON. —In fond memory of my brother, George, killed in action, Tobruk, August 3, 1941. Deep in my heart your memory is kept, we, who loved, will never forget. —Inserted by Henry. RICHARDSON. —A tribute to the memory of George, who made his supreme sacrifice August 3, 1941. His duty nobly done. —Inserted by Rose. RICHARDSON. —In memory of George, killed in action, Tobruk, August 3, 1941. He gave his life for our freedom. —Ever remembered by Mr. and Mrs. Hecker. HUMPHREYS — RICHARDSON.— In memory of our pals, Reg and George, who paid the supreme sacrifice at Tobruk, August 3. 1941.—Ever remembered by Mick Hobbs: Ralf Adams. Bonnie Bonython, AIF. ret.
Advertiser August 1944, RICHARDSON —In loving memory of our brother George, killed in action at Tobruk. August 3. 194l —Ever remembered by sisters Grace Mary May and Flo. RICHARDSON—George Gordon, killed in action at Tobruk, August 3 His duly nobly done. —Remembered by Mr and Mrs Hecker and family. HUMPHRYS—RICHARDSON.—In loving memory of Reg and George, two great pals, killed in action August 4. 1941.— Ever remembered by their pal. Alf Ryan
Advertiser Friday 3 August 1945, RICHARDSON. —In fond memory of our brother George, killed in action at Tobruk August 3, 1941. —Remembered by his sisters Grace, Mary, May and Flo. RICHARDSON, G. G., L/Cpl.—A tribute to the memory of George, killed in action, Tobruk, August 3, 1941. —Always remembered by his sister Kath and brother-in-law Sid.
Advertiser Saturday 3 August 1946, RICHARDSON. —In sad but loving memory of George, killed in action. Au-gust 3 1941. —Ever remembered by his sister Kath and Sid.

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