George CLOSE
Personal
Born: 11 December, 1879
Birthplace: Amherst, Victoria, Australia (Digger)According to death certificate George was born at Dulnlach, Western Australia Resided WA 7 years; Victoria 50 years
Parents: James Close (b1835, Somerset, England d. 1901, Talbot, Victoria, Australia) & Rebecca Esther Ambleton (b1839, Surrey, England. Died 1906, Talbot, Victoria, Australia)
Died: 19 June, 1940
Place of death: Caulfield Military Hospital, Caulfield
Burial place: Footscray Cemetery 21/06/1940
Awards and Honours
- British War Medal 1914-20
- Victory Medal
Battalions
21 Infantry Battalion, 10th Reinforcement; 14th Field Artillery Brigade
Events
Enlistment
Regimental Service Number: 4085
Enlistment date: 6 October, 1915 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Age at enlistment: 35 years 10 months
Address at enlistment: 7 Derrimut Street, Albion, Victoria, Australia
Religion: Church of England
Marital Status: Married
Next of kin: Wife: Christina Close nee Matheson
Physical Description: Height: 5 feet 9 inches
Weight: 10 stone 7 pounds
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Dark Brown
Distinctive marks: Scar on R. Bicep, Vacination 2 Left Arm, Mole on back & right elbow
Embarkation ship: HMAT A18 Wiltshire.
Rank: Private; Gunner
Return Vessel: Orontes.
Arrival at Australia: 5 October, 1918.
Discharge Date: 2 August, 1918
War Service Summary
30/10/1917 - wounded in the left shoulder by shrapnel from a bomb.
27/11/1917 - Transferred to England aboard the Essequibo
28/11/1917- Admitted to the Reading War Hospital
then returned to Australia on the Orontes
10/05/1918 - Arrived home
War Service Commemerated
Life After the War
Wife:
Christina Matheson (b1879, St Arnaud, d. 1967, Heidelberg,)
Children:
Ivy Christina - born c. 1908
Ethel Sylvia b. 1910, Melton, m. 1934 to Joseph Robert Thompson
Mervyn George b. 1911, Melton, m. 1941 to Jessie Dorothy Munro in Victoria, d. 06/11/2004, Leongatha
Daisy Alenie - b. 1914, Melton, m. 24/04/1948, Scots Church, Melbourne, to John Thomas Hjorth d. 1990, Sunshine
Irene Jean Close b. 1916, Melton, m. 1938 to Albert Rowe Sykes d. 15/11/1992, Horsham
Place/s of residence:
1903 St Heliers, Victoria
1909 to 1919 - Melton
1924 Bass, Victoria
1931 25 Hamel Street, Sunshine
1937 7 Derrimut Street, Sunshine
Occupations: Labourer, Farmer, Dairyman
Date of death:
19/06/1940, Caulfield Military Hospital, Caulfield
Place of burial:
21/06/1940 Footscray Cemetery
A photograph is available from the War Memorial
Additional Information
The Express 16 October, 1915 As social was tendered to Private G. Close at the Exford hall on Monday evening by the members of the Melton branch P.L.C., prior to his going into Camp next day. There was a good attendance, and a very enjoyable evening spent in dancing and musical items. Songs were rendered by Mrs. McDowall, Mr. Handsforth, and Mr. Mills. In making a presentation of a smokers outfit to the guest, the President of the Branch (Mr. Nesbitt) referred to the good work done by Mr. Close for the branch. The recipient suitably responded, and the company sang for he's a jolly good fellow. The Bacchus Marsh Express Saturday 25 May 1918, P 2 Pte. Geo. Close has returned from the Front. With two mates (who were killed) he was blown up by an enemy shell; parts of the shell are still in his body. In spite of his hardships he is looking well.