GREER, George Henry

GREER, George Henry – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 5339
RANK : Private
UNIT : 26th Battalion
ENLISTMENT DATE : 11/02/1916
AGE : 28
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Toowoomba, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Stanthorpe, Queensland
RELIGION : Church of England
OCCUPATION : Selector
DATE OF DEATH : 14/11/1963
PLACE OF BURIAL : Mt Gravatt, Queensland

MEMORIALS : Dalveen WWI Honour Boards, Stanthorpe Soldiers Memorial Rolls of Honor

View Veteran’s Service File : GREER, George Henry

NOTES :

George Henry Greer was born in Stanthorpe on June 26, 1887 to Joseph and Louisa Christina Wilhelmina Greer (nee Noey).

At the time of his enlistment, George was living in the Mitchell area as a selector. His mother Lousia Christine Burns, who had remarried after the death of his father, was listed as his next of kin. At the time, Louisa was living at Cannon Creek via Dalveen. His older brother Joseph Herman Christopher Greer 3134 also enlisted and was a member of the 2nd Light Horse Regement.

As a member of the 26th Battalion, George disembarked from the SS Victoria in France in December 1916. The Warwick Examiner and Times dated March 28, 1917 reported Private G.H. Greer of Dalveen as wounded. Like so many other soldiers, he suffered from Trench Feet and frost bite. After being transported to England for further treatment, the medical staff were forced to amputate some of his toes because of the severity of the damage to his feet. He was classed as Medically Unfit for service, discharged from the army on November 10, 1917.

Rosie May Gimm married George on December 31, 1924. George’s brother Joseph George had married Rosie’s sister Gertrude Catherine Minnie Gimm in 1920. George is buried with his wife and infant son Morris William Greer at the Mt Gravatt Cemetery in Brisbane.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.