George Weidenhofer
Name: George Harold Weidenhofer
Rank: Lance Sergeant
Service Number: 1920A
Units Served: 35th Battalion
Personal Details: George Harold Weidenhofer was born in the town of Echuca in Victoria. He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs. Henry Weidenhofer
Enlistment Details: He enlisted on the 23rd May 1916 at Oakbank SA and joined the 43rd Battalion but after he arrived in England, on the 11th November 1916, he transferred to the 35th Battalion.
Details about his role in War: He embarked from Adelaide on the 12th August 1916 on the “Ballarat” and arrived in Devonport in England on the 30th September 1916. He joined the battalion in France on the 22nd December 1916 and was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 11th February the following year. On the 5th April 1917 he was admitted to hospital with trench fever and was sent back to England for treatment. He returned to France on the 6th July and rejoined his unit on the 30th July. On the 16th September 1917 he was diagnosed with Synovitis knee and returned once more to his unit on the 23rd. On the 25th October he was promoted to Corporal and was made a Temporary Sergeant on the 31st December 1917. He reverted back to Corporal on the 5th January the following year. He was then promoted to Lance Sergeant on the 12th January, before being once more promoted to Temporary Sergeant on the 12th April. He was K.I.A on the 6th May 1918 during an attack near Morlancourt.
The following article was placed in the "Register" on Saturday 25th May 1918, sourced from Trove.
"THE AUSTRALIANS"
"BIOGRAPHICAL"
"LATE SGT. G. H. WEIDENHOFER.
Mr. Harry Weidenhofer, of OakbAnk, has been advised that his son, Sgt G. H. Weidenhofer, was killed in action on May 6. The deceased soldier, who was attached to the 35th (Western Australian) Battalion, had been 14 months in France, and up to the time of his death had not received a scratch. He was educated at the Oakbank Public School, and was a member of the Onkaparinga Football club. Before enlisting he was in the employ of Messrs. J. and A. G Johnston, Limited. The late Sgt. Weidenhofer, who was in his 23rd year was well known in the Onkaparinga district, and his early death will be regretted by his many friends."
Age at Death: 23
Memorial Details: Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France
Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Image from the "Chronicle" 1st June 1918 page 26 sourced from Trove
