Bulimba History Admin

12 Oct, 2018.5 min read

World War I

George William Imber


Regimental number: 6052 Rank: Gunner
Killed in Action (KIA) 9 April 1918

George William Imber was born in 1898 in Sydney NSW to George and Catherine Imber. The family was living on Dalgety’s Wharf, Bulimba when 18 year old labourer George enlisted on 22 July 1915 in Brisbane. His parents gave permission for him to be sent abroad.

George was assigned to the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade (FAB) as a Gunner. On 9 November 1915 he embarked from Melbourne on “HMAT Wandilla” A62 bound for Egypt. Reassigned to the 11 FAB, he arrived in France on 10 June 1916, In August he was admonished for being absent from morning stables at 6.30 am and given extra guard duty. He was granted leave in May 1917. While in France he received a letter from his mother advising him of his father’s death in Brisbane on 16 June 1917. On the 14 January 1918 George made a new will leaving his mother all of his estate. He was granted leave to England in March 1918, but soon returned to the field in France where he was killed in action on 9 April 1918 and was buried in the Frechencourt Village (Communal) Cemetery in France by Rev G.E. Shaw the following day.

George was entitled to the 1914/1915 star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal which his mother received. In 1921, his Memorial Scroll was sent to George’s father even though he had died 4 years earlier, and in 1923 his mother received his Memorial Plaque at her Commercial Road, Fortitude Valley address.