George Malcolm Abercrombie

George Abercrombie (Service No 334) was born in Morpeth, Northumberland, England in October 1884 and baptised on 5th July 1885.  He had spent 8 years serving with the Northumberland Hussars before coming to Australia in 1912.

At enlistment George was 31 years of age, single, lived in Wollongong, N.S.W. and worked as a miner.  

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A38 Ulysses with Mining Corps 1, Company 1, on 20th February 1916.  The troops arrived in France on 5th May 1916 and George was posted to 1st Tunnel Company on 24th December 1916.  

He saw service on the Western Front engaged in mining and tunneling duties for the duration of the war.  He does not appear to have been wounded and seems to have been on duty for long periods of time in Belgium and France.

On 16th January 1919 George was recommended for the Military Medal.  The citation for the Recommendation reads: 'From the 29th Sept. to the 20th Dec. accompanied the advance from BONY to NAMUR have been engaged in all opearations with this Unit whild attached to 11nd. American, 9th British, and Australian Corps.  Have been engaged on road repair and bridge building and in the search for and unloading of all classes of enemy Mines ofter under heavy energy shell and machine-gun fire.  Have during the whole of the peeriod shown the greatest courage and devotion to duty and have materially assisted in rendering the 4th Army Area for which this Unit was responsbile, safe for Transport and Occupation.'

George returned to Australia in May 1919 and was discharged on 5th September 1919.

He does not appear to have married and died in Bulli, N.S.W. in 1960.