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George Joseph Griffin - Information

George migrated to Australia, settling in Thirlmere, where he found work as a baker. George was born in Spalding, England and signed up to help the mother country on the 27th of June 1915 in Liverpool. During training, George was assigned to the 4th Reinforcements, 20th Battalion. He was sent overseas for war service on the 6th of September 1915.

George arrived in Egypt and quickly joined the 20th Battalion on the Gallipoli Peninsula on the 12th of November. Unfortunately at the time, a terrible blizzard hit the men in the trenches with snow. To continue the campaign would prove too costly and thus, it was called off. George and his unit found themselves back in Alexandria in early January 1916. On the 8th of March, he was transferred to the 2nd Pioneer Battalion at Moascar. Just over a week later, he was shipped to the Western Front. In May, George was admitted to hospital with venereal disease, returning to duty in late August. He continued toiling on work details in and out of the lines and in May 1917, attended a Cookery School. Sadly, he was then wounded in action on the 30th of September 1917, caught in a shell blast, sending fragments into his left leg. He was rushed to the 17th Casualty Clearing Station, and the 11th General Hospital in Camiers. Once he initially recovered, he recuperated at a Convalescence Depot. He rejoined his unit in mid December. On the 10th of March 1918, George was appointed Temporary Sergeant, on the 22nd of April and Cooking Sergeant on the 12th of May. He survived the war and continued to serve with his unit until he left for Australia on the 13th of April 1919.