Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George Francis Theodore Ninnis enlisted under the name of George Ninnis.   Born in Bendigo, he was the son of Henry Thomas & Maria Ann Ninnis.   After the death of his father his mother married Richard Daykin, of Black Street, Long Gully.   George Ninnis  was 33 years old and employed as a Labourer.   He had previously served in South Africa with the ALH 7th Mounted Regiment.    He was amongst the early volunteers for the Expeditionary Force, enlisting on 18.8.14.   The following day he left Bendigo for the Broadmeadows Camp.   He was allotted Service no.809 and appointed to ‘G’ Company, 7th Battalion.    On August 22 he was selected as a Driver.   

The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’.   Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids.   (6/12/14)     

In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized.   In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company.      This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company.

The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915.   

In May, Lieut.-General Sir W.R. Birdwood, in command of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, was asked to provide part of the Australian force to assist in a British offensive at Cape Helles.    The 2nd Australian Brigade, which included the 7th Battalion, was one of two brigades provided.    The 7th Battalion left Anzac and disembarked at ‘V’ Beach, Cape Helles, on May 6th.  The battalion moved forward on May 8th in what was later known as the “2nd Battle of Krithia”  (8-11 May).   This battle achieved minimal gain and casualties were extremely high.   Men were promoted in place of those who had been wounded or killed.  George Ninnis was Promoted Corporal on 14/5/15.    The battalion returned to Anzac Cove on 17/5/15.   

On July 3 the battalion moved into the trenches at Steele’s Post.   The downward slope behind Steele’s Post was directly overlooked by the Turks, who were in position on the higher ground.   Turkish riflemen made this area particularly unsafe.   The trenches were bombarded by the Enemy Howitzer causing explosions which buried men.   

George Ninnis was Wounded on 6 July, when he was concussed and buried by shell explosion.   His condition was diagnosed as Neurasthenia/Shell concussion.   After discharge from hospital in September, he spent some time at the A & NZ Base Camp, Monte Video, Weymouth, England.     He rejoined the 7th Battalion in Egypt on 15/1/16.

After the evacuation of Anzac the battalion had returned to Egypt for re-organization and the creation of subsidiary units.   The new units included one Pioneer Battalion for each infantry division.    George Ninnis transferred to 1st Pioneers on 10/3/16.   He was Promoted to Sergeant the following day.   

George Ninnis went on to serve on the Western Front.   He was Wounded (2nd occasion) in August, 1916, sustaining GSW to his head & shoulder.   His condition was diagnosed as Functional Neurosis.    He possibly Married whilst in England (Mrs B. L. J. N., of Silver Street Warminster, Wilts.)      He RTA M.U. on 7/6/18.   

“The First Lot.   7th Battalion.   The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone