George Walker was a 23 year old labourer working in Launceston in September 1914 when he enlisted. After passing the medical examination he was allotted to ‘E’ Company, 12th Battalion which was largely a South Australian company. Just over four weeks after enlisting Private George Walker boarded the Geelong as part of the first contingent.
The battle to take the Gallipoli Peninsula had become little more than a stalemate by August 1915 when plans for a break out of the beach head were put in place. The 12th Battalion were allotted to provide two companies for the battle for Lone Pine in August. Private Walker would be wounded in this action sustaining a slight bullet wound to his face. After treatment on Gallipoli he was able to rejoin his battalion,
In March 1916 the battalion arrived in Marseille and three months later George developed a severe case of scabies and was evacuated to London Hospital for treatment. While on furlough he contracted VD which meant a longer stay in England.
He eventually re-joined his unit in time for the battle for Bullecourt in April 1917 where he was wounded for the second time sustaining shrapnel wound to his left eye. After treatment at Rouen he returned to the front but in September developed trench fever as the weather started to change. Rejoining his unit, he remained for four days when he was detached to the 1″ Australian Divisional Headquarters where he remained until marched out for Australia in October 1918 – 1914 Personnel.
On return George married Elizabeth Annie Nevin and worked at a number of jobs including helping his wife run a shop at Sandy Bay. In the mid 1950’s he was working as a farm labourer at Middleton before moving back to town. He died on 11 October 1960 at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
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