Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Thomas and Martha ALDOUS, Yarck, Vic.

There was general gloom in Yea on Wednesday night, when the news of the death of one of the town's best respected and most popular residents in Mr George Aldous, became  known. The late Mr Aldous was returning to Yea about 6 p.m. after his mail-run to Flowerdale, when his utility truck careered off the road, and plunged into a culvert between the  residences of Messrs J. Borrie and H. Scott. As the deceased was subject to heart attacks, it is thought generally that he was overtaken by such a turn before the crash occurred. 

The late Mr Aldous, who was 58 years of age, was born at Yarck, where his parents, the late Thomas and Martha Aldous, had a farming property. He lived his early life in that  district, and was soon in uniform when hostilities broke out in 1914. He served with distinction in France with the 13th Light Horse, was wounded and invalided to England. He  then joined General Birdwood's staff, with whom he was acknowledged as a master horseman. One of the best buckjump riders to leave these shores, he had the crowning honor  of giving an exhibition of rough riding before His Majesty, King George V. Following his discharge from the service, the late Mr Aldous returned to Yarck, and then set out for the Wimmera, where he engaged in wheat-farming.

After his marriage to Miss Margaret Williamson, a member of another well-known pioneering family, he was appointed manager of a property at Seymour, where he and his wife  resided for some time. He returned to Yea to become one of the most popular mailmen ever to operate in this district. At the time of his demise he held three contracts - the mail  runs to Flowerdale, Limestone and Switzerland - and his unfailing cheerfulness and courtesy on the rounds became legendry. To him no service was too great to ensure that  people in the outlying districts were given the amenities so easily available in the town, and he will be missed sadly on his old circuits.

The late Mr Aldous was the most genial of men, and his ever-present sense of humor made him a delightful companion. His was a generous nature, too, and he was always ready  to lend the helping hand to those in need of assistance. His friends were legion.

After a service at Scots Church, Yea, on Friday, the funeral cortege proceeded to the Yarck cemetery, where the interment took place. The large attendance of mourners was a  further tribute to the esteem in which the deceased gentleman was held. Rev. McKenzie, of Alexandra, read the funeral rites at the graveside, a Masonic service was conducted by  Wor. Bro. G. Hickingbotham, and Mr E. L. Dignam read the R.S.L. service. Previously the flag at half mast had flown from the Shire hall, with the "Lest We Forget" emblem. Sincere sympathy has gone out to his sorrowing wife and only child, Diana, and to his brothers, William, John, Fred, and sisters, Elsie (Mrs McHale), Florence (Mrs Jack Williamson), and Clara (Mrs McMinn, of New Zealand.)