GAYNOR George William 5596
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GAYNOR, GEORGE WILLIAM
5596, Private, 26 Infantry Batt., AIF.
b. 02.02.1896 Ipswich, Qld.
d. 05.03.1966 Sunshine Coast, Qld.
Born in Glamorganvale near Ipswich, George Gaynor had been working as a farmer before enlisting in Brisbane with the AIF on 11th April 1916. He was single, described as 5 feet 7 inches in height with medium complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.
He embarked at Brisbane 7th September 1916 to arrive in Plymouth, England two months later on 2nd November 1916.
After a short period of training in England, he was sent to France on 13th December 1916, but soon after arriving, he was transferred to a military hospital with mumps.
Gaynor was reported missing for a short period in May 1917. Records did not report whether he was lost or strayed, but he found his way back to his unit shortly afterwards. He saw a lot of fighting during his time with the AIF and was hospitalised three times with war wounds.
On 19th November 1917, Gaynor was admitted to the General Military Hospital in Colchester, England suffering from gas poisoning received during his time in Belgium. The hospital, which became a sanctuary for the sick and wounded during the war years was demolished after 1977.
In August 1918 Gaynor was admitted to Ontario Military Hospital in Orpington, England with a gunshot wound to his left forearm and the following year in February 1919 he was sent to Paddington Military Hospital, London with a gunshot wound to his nose. He returned to Australia 10th April 1919.
Gaynor re-enlisted for the Second World War in 1940. Enlisted on 30.09.1940 Enoggera, Qld. as Q67606, Lance Corporal, 11 Training Battalion, AIF.
and was discharged from service 18th November 1943. He lived at Palmwoods with his wife and family.
George Gaynor has been buried in the Military Section of Woombye Cemetery.
Source: National Archives of Australia;
From the Genealogy Sunshine Coast publication
“AND THEIR NAMES SHALL LIVE FOREVER…”
REMEMBERING MILITARY PERSONNEL IN THE OLD MAROOCHY SHIRE CEMETERIES – BOOK 1, WOOMBYE
George is not included in the Adopt a Digger database as he falls outside our criteria of living in the district before 1925. He is included in this gallery as he has lived in the district later in his life and is commemorated on the Sunshine Coast. Importantly, as a WW1 digger he still deserves to be recognised and commemorated by our project.