HANDLEY, George
| Service Number: | 5358 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 March 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 9th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Claypole, Lincolnshire, England, 28 January 1863 |
| Home Town: | Tirroan, Bundaberg, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | 1926, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 5358, 9th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Apr 1916: | Involvement Private, 5358, 9th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: SS Hawkes Bay embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 20 Apr 1916: | Embarked Private, 5358, 9th Infantry Battalion, SS Hawkes Bay, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
When George Handley enlisted in the AIF at the age of 53, he stated on his papers he was 45 years of age. He enlisted to be closer to his three sons who were also in the infantry of the AIF. He closed down his farm for the time being, resigned his position as Shire Councillor and other public appointments. Apart from being a member of the Kolan Shire Council, George was also secretary of the Watawa Cane Growers Union, chairman of the Tirroan School commitee, and a member of the Gin Gin Show Society. Prior to enlistment George was stated to be very healthy and strong.
George lasted less than 12 months on the Western Front, the strenuous route marches moving from Ypres, Belgium to the Somme in France weakened his strength. A period of manning the trenches in the cold and wet resulted in him being evacuated to England with debility. When his true age was discovered, he was sent home to Australia during March 1917.
One of his sons, 3268A Pte. Herbert Henry Handley 49th Battalion AIF, was killed in action 25 April 1918, aged 23.
The other two sons who served, Guy Handley and Ernest Handley were both severely wounded during the war but returned home.
George Handley passed away during 1926, at Gin Gin, Queensland, nine years after returning to Australia.
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