George Richard Drysdale

George "Dick" Drysdale was born in Newcastle, England.  He immigrated to Australia either with or to be with his Uncle and Aunt.  At enlistment, George was single, employed as a labourer and resided in Helensburgh, NSW.  On his enlistment paperwork, George stated he was 22 years of age but was only 17 at the time.

George embarked on HMAT A19 - Afric with the 21st Battalion, 17th Reinforcements on 3 November 1916.  He arrived in England on 9 January 1917 and joined the 21st Battalion in France on 20 May 1917.  George saw service on the Western Front until 4 October 1917 when he was wounded in action.  He was evacuated to hospital for treatment of shrapnel wounds to his face and returned to his Unit on 6 December 1917.   

George was admitted to hospital on 22 December 1917 and then sent to England due to an issue with his eyesight.  George remained in England and was transferred to the Australian Employment Company on 29 March 1918.

On 6 February 1919,  George was in an accident where he suffered a crushed arm.  He was granted leave in England from 18 June 1919 until 18 September 1919.

George returned to Australia in October 1919 where he was medically discharged on 27 August 1920.

In August 1920 he married Marjorie Gulliver in Helensburgh, NSW but they divorced in 1930.

In 1948 George married Mary Payne in Helensburgh, NSW.

George died in 1950 and is buried in Woronora Cemetery.

His cousin William Drysdale also served.