We remember our Anzac heroes - Part II

We continue a series of stories remembering our country’s Anzac heroes as Albany counts down to the 2014 centenary commemoration of the departure of convoys from King George Sound.

Private George Davies John, 624, 10th Light Horse Regiment enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on October 20, 1914.

He was 23 years old.

After undertaking basic training at Blackboy Hill army camp in Guildford, Pte John embarked on the troopship Surada at Fremantle on February 17, 1915 with other members of the 1st-14th Reinforcements of the 10LHR.

After further training in Egypt, Pte John set off for the shores of Gallipoli in May 1915.

He was at Anzac Cove for five months when he was struck down with influenza and enteric fever.

After two months hospitalisation at Malta and Port Said, the debilitating effects of typhoid forced Pte John’s return to Australia.

He was honourably discharged in June 1916.

Mr John was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and was one of nine children.

He immigrated to Australia in 1909 to pursue a life on the land, taking up and clearing 500 acres of bush to establish himself farming around Gnowangerup and Borden.

With his brother William, George established the property Pembroke.

Before emigrating, George had spent 18 months with the Pembroke Imperial Yeomanry in Wales.

George was one of five brothers to have enlisted in the AIF, with his twin William and younger brother David also serving with the 10LHR.

Of two other brothers, Benjamin served in the 44th or Westralian Battalion and Joseph with the 28th, a battalion raised at Blackboy Hill in 1915. Both infantry units were heavily involved in some of the fiercest and most costly battles on the Western Front.

Joe was killed in action during the unit’s first major engagement, the Battle of Pozieres, on July 29, 1916. He was 22.

Youngest brother Bertie, who remained in Wales, was killed in France while serving with the 18th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

After the war, George returned to the family farm before moving to Cranbrook in the 1930s.

There he retained his connection with agriculture, establishing a carrying and cartage business to meet the increasing demand for a more mechanised means of transport and freight.

The venture was the first of its kind in Cranbrook, with George buying a KB International (harvester) for the job.

A horseman of some renown, George was a popular local figure who epitomised the Australian character of generosity and goodwill, attributes our Anzacs were pivotal in forming.

While skilled on horseback, George’s driving credentials were of different acclaim. Legend has it that barely a fence, gate or ramp in the district remained untouched by George. But indiscretions were quickly forgiven with most farmers having a ready supply of strainer posts on hand.

His warm-heartedness and good nature endeared him to the community and ensured his farm visits were always welcomed.

Never one to dwell on his war-time experiences, a quiet moment of reflection brought George to comment: “none of us were heroes. The fastest runners were the lucky ones ... that is what we did (and when) you are running for your life trying to jump over the bodies, especially if a body had been there for three days or more (and) was swollen up and you chanced to land on it, I am telling you, that is nothing to brag about”.

George died in 1974 at the age of 83. He rests in the Cranbrook Cemetery.

Of his brothers after the Great War, William moved out of farming to take up butchering in Broome.

He is said to have been the first taxi driver there.

The accumulated effects of war took their toll on William and he spent many years convalescing in Edward Millen Hospital in East Victoria Park. He died in 1932.

Before enlisting, William was a councillor on the Gnowangerup Road Board, having been elected in 1913.

David and Benjamin both returned to the land, with David droving sheep around Gnowangerup before farming Boddington. He was secretary for the Marradong Road Board.

Benjamin managed many properties from Pootenup to Frankland before moving to Cranbrook.

For Joe, a street in Borden bears the family name, recognising his ultimate sacrifice and honouring a family’s selfless contribution.

If you have an Anzac in your family, contact Sue Smith at Albany History Collection on 9841 9327.