ROLFE George

Regimental number: 13644
Religion: Church of England
Occupation: Cook
Address: Woombye, Queensland
Marital status: Single
Age at embarkation: 28
Next of kin: Father, G Rolfe, Aston, Clinton, Buckinghamshire, England
Enlistment date: 1 October 1915
Rank on enlistment: Private
Unit name: Army Medical Corps, Special Reinforcements

Description on Enlistment at Brisbane.
Age: 28yrs.
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 10st 4lbs
Complexion: Fair Eyes: Blue Hair: Brown

AWM Embarkation Roll number: 26/99/2
Embarkation details: Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A61 'Kanowna' on 29 March 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll: Private
Unit from Nominal Roll: 6th Field Ambulance
Fate: Died of disease 3 November 1918
Age at death from cemetery records: 31
Place of burial Aston Clinic (St. Michael) Churchyard, Buckinghamshire, England.
Inscription on Headstone: "A token of loving remembrance from relatives in Australia and his loving friend Grace."

Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial 183
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records:
Son of George ROLFE, Brook Street, Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire, England.

George's occupation in England was a gardener. He served as a British soldier for 7 years with 20th Hussars. He emigrated to Australia at the age of 24 years and became a farmer at Woombye, Qld.
At the outbreak of war, his mother begged him not to enlist as both his brothers had enlisted in England. But after being the recipient of a 'white feather' he enlisted in the Australian Medical Corp. and after some time in Egypt,served in France in the 6th Field Ambulance.

One week before the end of the war he left aboard HMAT "Marathon" Carrier "D27" presumably for home, but while still in port he died from influenza, pneumonia and heart failure. His body was taken to the mortuary of York House Military Hospital in England.
Burial Report.
He was buried at the home of his parents, his birth-place in Buckinghamshire. His father, brother, 4 sisters and 5 cousins were present. Full military funeral, lots of wreaths. An oak cross to be erected. His tombstone has the A.I.F. rising sun badge on.

He had left behind his fiancee Grace Maud Kerslake of Woombye to whom he left 100 pounds in his will.

Woombye Roll of Honour, Woombye School of Arts Hall, Blackall Street, Woombye

Woombye War Memorial, Memorial Park, Blackall Street, Woombye

Maroochy Shire Honor Roll, Shire Chambers, Bury Street, Nambour

Nambour (Maroochy Shire) Roll of Honor Scroll, Private Collection, Nambour (this scroll was available for sale to the public after the war)

Maroochy Shire War Dead, Quota Park, Matthew Street, Nambour

Australian War Memorial 183