George Norman Kilmister

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 10/11/2015 - 12:49

First Name:

George

Middle Name:

Norman

Last Name:

Kilmister

Mother's Name:

Georgina Kilmister nee Polson

Father's Name:

John Kilmister

Date Enlisted:

Thursday, December 30, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

1st Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Sunday, November 5, 1916

Place of Death:

France

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

George Kilmister (Service No 5725) was born in Victoria around 1884.

In 1915 he had married Annie Lamond in Sydney.

When George enlisted at the age of 32 he lived at Berry, N.S.W. and was employed as a compositor.

George embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A55 Kyarra with 18th Reinforcements, 1st Battalion, on 3rd June 1916. The troops arrived in England on 3rd August 1916, and George joined C Company, 1st Battalion in France on 1st October 1916.

On 5th November 1916, George was killed while taking part in the Flers Charge, although his body was not located until 3rd March 1917.

George's Red Cross file states that 50 bodies were found under the wire near Bayonet trench. The men were buried in Grevillers British Cemetery together and the names are on a special memorial.

After George's death, his wife Annie wrote to the Army rejecting his medals, saying she was unable to look after them due to her circumstances.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, KILMISTER GEORGE NORMAN