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George (Tasman) was born in the mid-north town of Jamestown on the 5th July 1915 to George Edward Griffith and Elise May Gill. He was the only son with two sisters, Julie and Mariorie. Their father, after whom Tas was named, enlisted as a 31-year-old and rose to become a Captain in the 49th Battalion in WWI, serving in France, earning the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals. Post war, the family moved to Clare where George was heavily involved as President of the Clare Fruitgrowers’ Association and a local agent for farming equipment. He was also an active member of the Returned Servicemen’s Association
Tas attended both the Clare Primary and High Schools, representing his school in football against Auburn, then later playing for the local Clare team where he was a consistently high scorer and regularly named in the best player list. Tas graduated with his Qualifying Certificate in ’28 before becoming a clerk while also being a volunteer with the Militia from July ’33 as 303641.
As a ten-year-old, Tas witnessed an horrific bushfire covering over 12 square miles of country near Penwortham and Seven Hills before it was brought under control near the family property at Gillentown where it was a challenging to save their shed. Overall, crops, stock, fences and timber were all lost.
In later years, Tasman acted as best man for his Snowtown friend, Frank Ashby (who also enlisted on the 28th April ’42 as S77113) at his wedding to Mary Ryan in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral in September ’38.
The following year aged 23 Tas enlisted to serve with the permanent forces in February ’39, then just prior to his 25th birthday on the 17th May ’40 soldier Gill enlisted to serve in WWII, becoming SX2895. He transferred from the 2/27th to the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. Tas’ initial days were spent in the cold of the Pavilions, now part of the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds before he headed to Woodside for preliminary training. His exceptional leadership skills were readily acknowledged with a promotion to Lieutenant, announced in the November ’40 Commonwealth Gazette. Simultaneously, other leadership appointments were made with names that would become legendary in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. They included Major R. L. Batten as second-in-command of the Second 48th Battalion. Major Batten was transferred from the Second 43rd Infantry Battalion. In militia appointments Major K. J. McEwin was appointed to command the 48th Battalion. Lieutenant G. M. Leane was transferred from the Second 27th Battalion to the Second 48th Battalion.
Following pre-embarkation leave, Tas returned to his battalion with the contingent then embarking on the Stratheden for the Middle East, on the 7th November 1940, arriving on the 19th December 1940. There Tas was involved in a few months training in Cyrenaica before attending an A.I.F. Intelligence Course in February. The following month, he helped with the thorough reconnaissance of the area to be occupied near Barraca, northeast of Benghazi. By the start of April 1941, the 2/48th were in Tobruk where the dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to new enlistees who were to become the famed Rats of Tobruk. There Tas again also made reconnaissance in preparation for 21st April ’41 and the fight for Hill 29.
John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan recounted that ‘At 9:30 Hill 29 was overrun by the Germans. As no information was coming back to the 2/48th Battalion, Lieutenant Tas Gill now went forward and made contact, but little was known of the fate of the forward companies.’
Later that year, unsanitary conditions contributed to Tas contracting gastritis and later jaundice causing hospitalisation and convalesce before returning to his battalion and a move to Alexandra. Darren Paech in Adelaide to Alamein referred to the trip in Ivor Paech’s entry for 13th October ’41. ‘We embussed and travelled through busy streets to Amyria staging camp. We were all unshaven and dirty so welcomed a decent shower and general clean up.’ ‘Lieutenant Tas Gill was detailed to stay at Amyria to help with the transport situation. Not having tasted ale for some time, we tried to make up for lost time.’
At that time Tas also wrote to the Northern Argus, sharing his encounters with some of the ‘local’ men from back home.
“Somewhere in Egypt. Dear Sir— Yesterday I was playing in a cricket match- such as it was — and found myself bowling to a short, chunky chap whose face seemed familiar; when he came to the bowler's end the recognition was mutual. It was Jack Knight, whom I once used to play Red Indians with as a kid. Jack is a Cpl. now and is fine and fit. We've been poles apart over here — he's been crashing his way about Syria in tanks, while I have been burrowing in Tobruk. Cpl. Knight kindly brought over six or seven copies of the 'Northern Argus,' and I was delighted to hide myself for a couple of hours and absorb the news of my old home town. There are a host of fellows I know in the Enlistments Honor Roll. And here is my point in writing. I would like to express my satisfaction and heartily congratulate Clare on its answer to the call. I'm sure that' if the response from the whole State was as good there would be no talk of conscription. I notice that under 'Australian Nursing Service,' are my sister, Marjorie, and Ellen Menzies. My sister actually has no connection with the A.I.F.— the Queen Alexandra's is an English Service. I think the same applies to Sister Menzies, with whom, incidentally, I have been corresponding, but unfortunately, I can never arrange to meet. When I'm in Libya, she's in Palestine; when I go to Palestine, she shifts to Egypt. I don't doubt you know that Campbell Menzies, who enlisted as a Pte in England, has now obtained his Commission in the Seaforth Highlanders. Sitting opposite me at this moment is Lieut. W. A. Byrne, who enlisted at Spalding. We were both evacuated to hospital at practically the same time. All my sympathy goes out to those who have lost their sons; their sacrifice is not in vain. Your papers have been most interesting, and very welcome, and I don't doubt are finding their way to the four corners. Keep it up, and my best wishes for the future. Yours faithfully, G. TASMAN GILL, Lieut.”
Mark Johnson in his recent book, Derrick VC In His Own Words on 30 June ’42 wrote of travelling through Cairo and the ‘battle of wits with the Wog news vendors, and sorry to say we ran second as they are the skilled participants in the art of petty thieving and swindling.’ In a further note is the entry that Lieutenant Tas Gill, Derrick’s platoon commander, wrote “Cairo went hysterical when the Aussies, loaded on trucks and stripped to the waist, eating water melons stolen from the street vendors, went slowly through.”
On the 8 July ’42 Paech referred to the detailed patrol report from Lieutenants Tas Gill and Lance Heffron, a skill for which they became renown because of the detail contained. This included the terrain, where enemy troops were stationed, the types of trenches and their depth and if these were connected to crawl trenches.
Mark Johnson’s book also includes an entry for 8 July ’42 ‘Clem Billing going on a recce into Fritz territory tonight, with our Pl Commander Mr Gill’ (Derrick respectfully called Gill ‘Mr’ a title used officially to address and refer to lieutenants.’ Two days later the entry for 10 July 42 detailed the attack on the Hill of Jesus. ‘Mr Gill gave my section the task of assisting 4 Section, this was our first decent chance and we snapped her up…we were now within 100 yards and out they came hands well up, we were greatly surprised to find 50, plus equipment. ‘After handing over the prisoners, all of whom were Italians Mr Gill then moved us further along the Hill of Jesus, here we came under arty fire and went to ground, to await our next move. It soon came, and was one of digging in. I might mention by now we were all feeling very weary and tired, - whilst we were moving it wasn’t noticed, and only now did I realise how much the boys had been through.’ He added ‘Digging in continued and was a mammoth task the ground being very rocky. A slight compensation for this was the rather large and appetising meal we had which was supplied by Mr Gill who had managed to get a deserted utility truck in going order, and had scrounged a heap of Iti rations.’
He outlines how the weary men were just preparing for rest when the order was given to attack ‘The plan was to move forward, on a shot open up with everything, advance firing and calling out “Come on Australianoes”. To the enemy under siege, this war cry suggested huge numbers of Australians advancing.
In John Glenn’s Tobruk to Tarakan he also outlines how on the 10th July Gill led one branch of a three pronged attack ‘synchronised so that all should converge on the enemy at the same time. The whole front was quiet. The shadowy forms of the men moved closer and closer to the dark shapes of the tanks that stood silhouetted against the lighter sky. The order had been to creep up on to the tanks until somebody was forced to open fire. When the troops were almost on the tanks a startled German let go with a burst from his Spandau. The change from the silence of the night to the hideous yelling of the men charging in from all sides was too much for the tank crews. They pulled out as quickly as they could, grinding away into the darkness.’
On the early morning of the 14 July ’42, Glenn records that ‘the light breeze and cold air formed a mist over the battlefield. Taking advantage of the poor visibility, Lieutenant Tas Gill of 8 Platoon, A Company, took out a small fighting patrol which included Corporal Tom Derrick, to search among the destroyed enemy equipment out in front of the station area. Dozens of dead and decomposing enemy soldiers were scattered among the sand from the earlier fighting, creating a ghastly graveyard stench.’
Johnson also mentioned that derrick commented in his diary that ‘Much foodstuffs and other valuable gear was the result. One wonders if there is a rightful solution to all this horridness & can get no intelligent answer.’
On the 22nd July an attack on West Point 24 of Tel el Eisa was initially perceived to be a bloody failure. The following day it was learned that in fact it had resulted in the Germans abandoning that Point. Paech wrote ‘Death was still never far away. Ivor’s good friend Lieutenant Tas Gill of A Company, who was commanding 8 Platoon, was killed by a lone shell fragment hitting him in the back of the head on East Point 24. It killed him instantly.’ Tas’ death occurred just days after his 27th birthday on the 23rd July 1942.
Glenn also recorded that ‘The day, however, was quiet until the evening, when a few shells landed on A Company, that very fine soldier, Lieutenant Tas Gill, being killed.’ A brilliant soldier, variously called brave and resourceful, and a capable and gallant platoon commander was yet another casualty of the highly decimated 2/48th Battalion.
Darren Paech wrote of the loss to Ivor of Lieutenant Tas Gill who had taken command of 8 Platoon after Ivor had been promoted to the intelligence section. ‘The heavy losses of the July fighting had shocked and affected him deeply. Being an original member of the 2/48th Battalion and a former NCO, he personally knew most of the men who had been killed and wounded, particularly the officers and senior NCOs. While he accepted the necessity of the fighting without question, he found the heavy loss of life for the scant gains troubling. It all seemed so futile and many of his close friends such as Col Williams, Frank Thredgold and Tas Gill were now dead, buried beneath the desert sands.’
Further tributes appeared in Tobruk to Tarakan commenting that Windeyer was given men of excellent calibre - Warrant Officer T.G. Gill, who was soon to be commissioned, and who, renowned as a fine soldier, was to serve with the unit until he was killed I the holocaust of Alamein.
The Advertiser in August ’42 carried the distressing news. ‘Cpt. G. E. and Mrs. Gill, of Gloucester street Prospect, have been advised that their only son, Lt. G. Tasman Gill, was killed in action on July 23. He was born at Jamestown 27 years ago. After holding a commission in the militia, he volunteered for the AIF at the outbreak of the war and embarked in 1940 as an intelligence officer of a South Australian battalion. Lt Gill was in Tobruk for several months.’
Similarly, the Northern Argus and Blyth Agriculturalist newspapers from the mid-north towns where George spent his early years, carried a tribute to him. ‘Profound regret was expressed throughout Clare and district on Monday when it was learned that Lieut. George Tasman Gill, aged 27 years, had been killed recently in action in Egypt. He was the only son of Mr. George E. and Mrs. Elsie M. Gill, of 5 Gloucester Street, Prospect, and they formerly resided in the township proper and on a garden property at Gillen Town for a good many years. A daughter—Miss Marjorie Gill—is away serving as a Sister with a British Nursing Service in the Middle East. There is one younger sister at home, Miss Julie Gill. The late Lieut. Gill was educated at the Clare Primary and Clare High Schools. He was a young man of smart and pleasing personality, and quickly advanced in promotion to commissioned rank. While away in Egypt—about the time of the big battles for Tobruk 12 months ago Tasman wrote a fine letter to the "Northern Argus," which we had pleasure in publishing, and we wish to convey to his bereaved parents and relatives our sincere sympathy in their time of National sorrow. They know that he gave his life for his family and friends and greater love hath no man in these times of the Empire's direst need.’
In March ’45 Tas was re-buried in Egypt at the El Alamein War Cemetery; Plot A III Row G Grave 6 where he rests with others from the 2/8th 2/12th 2/15th and 2/43rd Battalions. His parents chose the inscription ‘Dearly loved only son of Geo E. and Elsie M. Gill, Adelaide’ for his headstone.
Tas’ family posthumously received his medals for the service he gave with such distinction. These included the 1939/45 Star, the African Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian service Medal
His family continued to remember him in the ensuing years.
Advertiser Monday 3 August 1942, GILL. —Killed in action, Egypt, Lieut. George Tasman (2nd A.I.F), only loved son of George E. and Elsie M. Gill, of 5 Gloucester street, Prospect; aged 27 years, loved brother of Julie and sister Mariorie Gill, British Military Hospital, Middle East. "He gave his all."
Advertiser Friday 23 July 1943, GILL, Lieut George Tasman. —ln memory of our dearly loved son and brother, killed in action at El Alamein July 23, 1942. "His duty nobly done."— Inserted by his loved ones, of Gloucester street. Prospect.
Advertiser Monday 24 July 1944, GILL, Lieut. George Tasman. —In proud and loving memory of our dearly loved only son and brother, killed in action, El Alamein, July 23, 1942.—Inserted by his loved ones, Prospect.
Advertiser Monday 23 July 1945, GILL, Lieutenant George Tasman. —ln proud memory of our dearly loved son and brother. Killed In action. El Alamein, July 23, 1942. —Gloucester Street.
Advertiser Tuesday 23 July 1946, GILL, Lieutenant George Tasman. —In memory of our dearly loved son and brother killed in action, El Alamein, July 23, 1942.—Inserted by his loved ones. Gloucester street, Prospect.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.