Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records

Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officer's Decoration

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c. 1929

Overview

Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officer's Decoration (Geo V) which is constructed out of silver with the crown and cypher in gold gilt, the medal atop has a silver laurel suspender with green ribbon. In original black leather presentation case that is lined with white silk and maroon velvet.

Historical information

Born in Windsor, South Australia on 12th July 1885, George moved to Albany in 1897 with his family who established a grocery store on the corner of Stirling Terrace and Spencer Street; still known as ‘Everett’s Corner’.
George graduated from Claremont Training College and taught for nine years throughout Western Australia. His interest in the military increased and he became the Officer in Charge of Albany State School Cadet Corp with the rank of Second Lieutenant. He resigned from the Education Department to join the Garrison Artillery.
By the time Lord Kitchener visited on 28th January 1910 George had reached rank of Lieutenant. Commanding the battery of 6-pound Quick Firing Hotchkiss guns team they put on a display hitting seventeen out of twenty rounds fired. Lord Kitchener commented “nothing could live under such fire”.
With compulsory military training coming into effect in 1911 George was appointed Area Officer for the Albany District. However, with the outbreak of WWI in 1914, he became the recruitment officer for the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF), a duty that affected him deeply.
In 1916 George, now holding the rank of Captain was put in command of the Albany garrison. He held that role throughout the war until 1921 when the battery was reduced to a maintenance position.
In 1929 George was presented the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Decoration for 20 years voluntary service. He died three years later in 1932.
George, described as “Albany’s most public-spirited and likeable businessmen”, involved himself in many community groups and actively supported many local charities.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-12-2013.7.1

Themes

People
Social History
War and Conflict

Material

Leather

Metal

Textiles

Width

35 mm

Height or length