George Danford NEAVE

“The saying ‘first in best dressed’ certainly would have applied at Morphettville as the new recruits quickly learned to queue for everything in the Army. Not until the bladder was relieved could a man concentrate on such military matters as tidying up the tent and readying himself for the sergeant’s 7.30 am inspection parade. Wash, shave, fold blankets, clean out the tent, get rid of the rubbish and conduct a quick ‘emu bob’ around the lines to get rid of the ‘bumpers’. It wasn’t long before most, but not all, of the men realised that almost every task could be completed more quickly and with less effort when they worked in pairs or as a team. By the end of the week, after learning the simple lessons of working together and following a routine, they found they could make time for breakfast and if they were really efficient, and with a bit of luck, make it to the head of the breakfast queue. Those fortunate or fast enough to be at the head of the queue would take their meal into the racetrack grandstand to escape the noise of the mess tent.” (www.rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au)

There was a march-past of the first expeditionary force through the Adelaide CBD on September 21, 1914, which drew enormous crowds. There were over 1,000 10th Battalion personnel marching that day.

George embarked two months later from Adelaide on HMAT Ascanius, sailing with the ANZAC convoy for the Middle East. Additional trains were scheduled to transport family and friends to Morphettville to visit the camp to say goodbye.There were several months’ training at the Mena Camp, with the Pyramids as part of the scenery. Here George suffered severely with broncho pneumonia. The medical officer at Mena House recommended he be discharged as permanently unfit. On February 19, George received an approval to return to Australia as medically unfit. This was overturned by the medical board that stated although his sickness was a “result of active service owing to exposure and onerous duties entailed”, the disability was not permanent - duration of six months.

With his Battalion, George embarked mid-March 1915, for the island of Lemnos in the Aegean Sea. Here the force consolidated, and then boarded the battleship HMS Prince of Wales. Private Neave remained at the Lemnos Field Hospital, regaining his strength. He was then transferred back to Cairo. He missed the ANZAC Cove landing.

On July 8, after a long defensive stance at Gallipoli, the remaining men of the 10th Battalion were withdrawn to Imbros Island for three days to rest. Upon returning, the Battalion took up a position around Silt Spur, opposite Lone Pine. Here Private Neave joined them, returning to duty 27/07/15. He provided support to the 1st Brigade during the Battle of Lone Pine.

He was killed in action on September 13, 1915, aged just 21 years.George is buried in Shell Green Cemetery, Plot 2, Row 1, Grave 16, about 1,150 yards south of ANZAC Cove. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His mother requested her son’s pack for sentimental value, but was declined, being informed that his pack would be sold in Egypt. She received a probate of 317 pounds. Two of George’s brothers also enlisted. Cecil survived, but Edgar died at sea off West Africa, from pneumonia.