Private George Giddy
2nd Battalion, AIF
Service Number: 6265
Born: 1896, Penrith, NSW
Died: 10 April 1917, Pozieres, France
George Henry Giddy was born in 1896, the second youngest son of Esdras and Julia (Quinn) Giddy. The family lived on the York Estate Penrith. Giddy received his schooling at Penrith Public School. His mother Julia (daughter of John Quinn of Jamisontown) died in 1910 and was buried in Sir John Jamison catholic cemetery. By 1914 the family had moved to Commandant Hill near West Kempsey, NSW. His father was a timber and sleeper cutter. On enlistment Giddy was working as a labourer. His older brother, John James Giddy served with the 8th Machine Gun Company from 2 September 1915 until his return to Australia on 27 July 1917.
As Giddy was under 21, he had to obtain his father’s permission to join the AIF. He enlisted at Victoria Barracks Sydney on 27 April 1916 and served with the Dubbo Depot Battalion until 15 June 1916 when he joined the 20th Reinforcements, 2nd Battalion. He sailed for the war zone on 9 September 1916 aboard the HMAT Euripides and disembarked in Plymouth England on 28 October 1916. On 21 November 1916, while stationed at No 3 Camp Fovant, Giddy was found guilty of being absent without leave for several hours. He was sentenced to 7 days confinement to barracks and forfeited one day’s pay. On 23 November, he marched out to the Command Depot at Denton and marched into 1st Training Battalion at Larkhill on 8 December 1916.
On 15 February 1917, Giddy proceeded to France aboard the SS Victoria and was taken on the 2nd Battalion’s strength on 10 March 1917. Giddy’s time at the front would be shortlived. In April 1917, the 2nd Battalion was advancing toward the Hindenburg Line. Giddy was wounded in action on 9 April 1917 after receiving gunshot wounds in the back. He received treatment at the 3rd Field Ambulance before being operated on at the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station. He died the following day.
Memorial Details:
- Pozieres British Cemetery Ovillers-La-Boisselle, France
- Honor Roll, St Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church
- Honor Roll, Penrith Superior Public School
- Honor Roll, War Memorial, Kempsey
Sources: