BACKGROUND

George Watego was born in Burwood in 1891, son of Loyalty Island father, George & English mother, Mary. He had 4 sisters & 3 brothers, one of whom, Murray (Mick) also enlisted on the same day, but assigned to a different battalion. Home for the Watego family was Cudgen “Bundjalung” Country. Throughout the decades many inter-tribal marriages took place and now the Watego family extend the length and breadth of Australia, particularly along the mid to north, east coast of Australia.   

When war broke out in Europe, Murray along with his brother George and Peter Knowles (Murray’s brother-in-law), enlisted in Brisbane, on April 26th 1916. Although very proud ‘Torres Strait Islander/ South Sea Islander’ descendants, to join the AIF like so many other Indigenous Australians, the brothers lied about their indigenous background. This no doubt was due to the racial discrimination that denied non-Europeans the right to enlist at the time

ATTESTATION

He was single labourer, living in Cudgen. His application showed his next of kin as a lady friend, Mrs. Doris Turner, of Annandale.

He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia

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CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTING OFFICER

On the second page of the attestation documents the attesting confirms the following; “The foregoing questions were read to the person enlisted in my presence. I have taken care that he understood each question, and his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to by him”

OATH

He also made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, George Watego, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War, and a further four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed therefrom: and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and case His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and I will in all matters appertaining to my services faithfully discharge my duty according to law

SO, HELP ME, GOD.” 

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

His medical showed he was 25 years old, 5ft 5 inches tall (1.65m), weighed 155 lbs (70kgs), with a fresh complexion, light brown eyes & black hair. His eyesight was good. George was Methodist and had a tattoo on his left arm.  

CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER

The medical examiner certifies I have examined the abovenamed person, and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz: -

Scrofula; phthisis; syphilis; impaired constitution; defective intelligence; defects of vision, voice, or hearing; hernia’ haemorrhoids; varicose veins, beyond a limited extent; marked varicocele with unusually pendent testicle; inveterate cutaneous disease’ chronic ulcers; traces of corporal punishment or evidence of having been marked with the letters D. or B.C; contracted or deformed chest; abnormal curvature of spine; or any other disease or physical defect calculated to unfit him for the duties of a soldier.

He can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service

CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER

This is completed during the recruits training. George was in Enoggera training camp when this was completed on 28^th September, 1916. The commanding officer certifies that this attestation of the abovenamed person is correct, and that the required forms have been complied with. He then states “I accordingly approve, and appoint him as a private into the 26^th Infantry Battalion – 16^th Reinforcements with service No 5934

RIFLE RANGE TRAINING CAMP, ENOGGERA

As was the case with men from the Northern Rivers district in New South Wales, they trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera near Brisbane. The Barracks Block was built as accommodation for men in two dormitories, each 36 feet by 22 feet (10.97 x 6.7 metres). Beds or bunks were not provided, instead each man slept on a palliasse with ground sheet on the floor. For many it was their first time away from home. Men from every walk of life, from clerks and teachers to factory and shop workers, were crammed together

Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men had to be inducted into military forms of discipline, command, and order. This was partially achieved through a program of basic training carried and, in a sense, was maintained for a long as a man was in the service.

It involved marching and drilling with the rifle, cleaning and caring for personal equipment and being supervised and inspected in ways quite different to ordinary civilian life. For example, no boots should be allowed to get in a bad state of wear but must be sent to the bootmaker without delay for repair. Men who were found with hair long and unshaven had to have a haircut and shave

Secondly, after basic training there followed the far more serious exercise of turning a man into a fighting soldier at least partially prepared for the kind of warfare he was about to experience overseas

The topics and exercises in the syllabus of training were a world away from their former lives and included daily physical training, entrenching, wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with gas attack, using hand grenades, using the bayonet, and the routines to be followed in the trenches.

This training was then put into practice during what were called ‘Field Days,’ when men would practice using the skills they had acquired in mock attacks both by day and by night. How well men had learnt to use their weapons, in cooperation with each other in training, would be tested in the harsh reality of the front line. Training could take several months

INNOCULATIONS

All recruits were given a range of inoculations while in camp. The most important jab was to protect against smallpox and typhoid – indeed, having this was an essential precondition of enlisting.

THE UNIFORM

The recruits were issued with their uniform- service dress jacket was made of Australian wool and its loose fit gave the wearer more allowance for movement. The four large pockets were very useful. A unique feature designed for comfort was the pleated back, which provided a double thickness of cloth down the back that the pack rubbed against. Breeches were corduroy worn with wool wrap puttees. The famous khaki felt slouch hat or early service cap is probably the most distinctive part of the uniform. turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge.

SOLDIER’S KIT

Australia's World War I soldiers went to war weighed down by almost 30 kilograms of clothes, weapons, tools and kit.

·      Breeches: made from khaki woollen cord fabric, with side pockets and button flies. Soldiers were issued with two pairs of breeches, plus a pair of dungarees. The breeches ended above the ankles and the gap was filled with puttees.

·      Braces: worn with breeches.

·      Puttees: The men wound these strips of woollen cloth, almost three metres long, upwards from the ankle to just below the knee. Soldiers disliked the puttees, probably with good reason: the tight binding restricted circulation and might even have contributed to the high incidence of trench foot. Mounted troops wore leather leggings.

·      Shirt: Soldiers were given two grey, collarless, flannel shirt, plus a military shirt.

·      Ankle boots: brown and lace-up.

·      Socks: Made from wool or cotton. Soldiers were issued with three pairs.

·      Greatcoat: the khaki woollen coat (which weighed about 3kg) often doubled as a soldier's bedding and was his chief protection against the cold and wet. The coat came into its own when snow hit Gallipoli in November 1915 and also on the Western Front.

·      Jersey

·      Singlets: Soldiers were issued with 2 woollen singlets.

·      Cotton "drawers" (underpants): Soldiers were issued with two pairs.

·      Abdominal belts: a sort of cummerbund that was issued to keep soldiers warm and supposedly ward off disease.

·      Backpacks and webbing: The main backpack was a rectangular sack measuring about 15 inches x 13 inches, closed at the top by a folding cover secured by two straps. The webbing included a web belt, cartridge pouches, small haversack, bayonet frog, an entrenching tool holder (plus another holder for its handle), and a water-bottle holder.

·      Identity disc: Soldiers were initially issued with one medal "dog tag" on a cord, but later in the war they were given two tags, made of compressed fibre.

·      Soldiers were also issued with a "housewife" - a sewing kit containing such items as needles, thimble, thread, wool and button so they could carry out running repairs.

·      Also in their kit were a short-magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle, a rifle sling, a bayonet and scabbard, and an "entrenching tool" (they were "diggers" after all). This came in two parts, with the helve (handle) separate from the spade part.

·      Soldiers were issued with eating equipment (knife, fork, spoon, an enamel mug, water bottle (with two-point capacity), and a mess tin with carrier.

·      They also had a clasp knife (with marlin spike, tin-opener and lanyard), razor, shaving kit, soap, comb, two towels, field dressing (carried in the tunic's inside pocket), and a hold-all, in which they could pack their private possessions.

·      No item was probably looked after more carefully than their service pay book: privates were paid six shillings a day

VOYAGE OVERSEAS SYDNEY TO ENGLAND OCTOBER 1916

On 21^st October 1916 the recruits left Australia, sailing upon the HMAT Boonah. They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant.  It was a foretaste of what was to come.

DISCIPLINED

Whilst on the ship, George disobeyed an order in such a manner to show wilful defiance of authority a lawful command given personally by his superior officer. He forfeited 16 days’ pay.

ENGLISH TRAINING CAMP JANUARY 1917

They disembarked in Plymouth on 10^th January 1917. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the English training camp at Rollestone, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind.

When the recruits entered Rollestone Camp, they joined one of the Australian training establishments on the Salisbury Plain in southern England. By this stage of the war, the Australian Imperial Force had developed a highly organised training system designed to ensure that every reinforcement arriving in France possessed the skills needed to survive on the Western Front.

The time they spent at Rollestone were among the most important of their military career. Rather than being sent directly to the front, they underwent intensive preparation under instructors who were often veterans recently returned from France. These men had firsthand knowledge of trench warfare and passed on lessons learned through hard experience.

Life at Rollestone followed a demanding routine. Reveille sounded early each morning, followed by physical training designed to build strength and endurance. After breakfast, the men spent long hours on the training grounds learning and practising the skills they would soon need in battle. Rifle shooting remained a fundamental part of instruction, and the men would have spent considerable time on the ranges improving his marksmanship and learning to care for his weapon under all conditions.

Much of the training focused on trench warfare. Practice trench systems had been constructed across Salisbury Plain, allowing recruits to experience conditions similar to those they would encounter in France. They learned how to move through communication trenches, occupy front-line positions, stand sentry duty and maintain defensive works. They practised digging trenches, constructing parapets and revetments, and laying barbed wire obstacles.

Bombing instruction was another important part of the syllabus. Recruits learned how to throw and handle grenades safely, a skill that had become essential on the Western Front. They were also taught how to react during enemy bombardments, how to seek cover and how to move forward under artillery fire.

Field exercises frequently involved entire companies and battalions. During these manoeuvres, the recruits practised attacks on mock enemy positions, advancing behind simulated artillery barrages and coordinating movements with neighbouring units. Such exercises often lasted for many hours and could continue regardless of rain, cold or mud. The instructors were determined that recruits experience something of the hardships they would face in France.

Route marches formed a regular feature of camp life. Carrying rifles, ammunition, packs and equipment, the men marched many miles across the rolling countryside of Salisbury Plain. These marches built stamina and accustomed soldiers to carrying heavy loads over long distances. By the end of his training, the men would have been capable of marching for hours while carrying the equipment required in active service.

If applicable

Winter made conditions increasingly difficult.  The winds sweeping across Salisbury Plain became bitter, and training often continued in rain, frost and mud. For Australian soldiers accustomed to warmer climates, the English winter could be an uncomfortable introduction to European conditions. Nevertheless, the harsh weather provided valuable preparation for service on the Western Front.

Beyond the formal training, Rollestone also gave the recruits the opportunity to form friendships with fellow Australians who shared anticipation and uncertainty about their future. In the evenings, men wrote letters home, attended educational lectures or spent what little leisure time was available discussing rumours from the front and wondering what lay ahead.

DISCIPLINED APRIL 1917

On 22^nd April George went AWL from the camp till 2.30pm on 23^rd April, for which he forfeited 4 days’ pay and was confined to camp for 2 days.

FRANCE APRIL 1917

George Watego proceeded overseas on 24th April 1917 and arrived in Étaples, France, on 26th April. Like all Australian reinforcements, he was first sent to the Australian Infantry Base Depot at Étaples. Soldiers arriving from England usually underwent a short period of further training and conditioning at the base depots in France.

This included familiarisation with trench warfare tactics & use of gas masks and bayonets.

Awaiting Deployment Orders

Soldiers did not immediately go to their units. They had to wait for:

·      A draft of reinforcements to be requested by the Battalion

·      The logistics to arrange movement to the front

·      Sometimes, movement was delayed due to transport availability, enemy activity, or unit reorganisation.

Medical Checks & Paperwork

Troops were also given medical inspections, final checks of records, and issued any missing kit or equipment before joining the battalion.

On 30th April, George proceeded to join the 26th Battalion, arriving at billets in the rear areas near the front. Over the next two days he was gradually introduced to his new comrades and the routines of the battalion.

TAKEN ON STRENGTH MAY 1917

On 2nd May 1917 he was formally taken on strength, marking his official inclusion in the unit. From that point, he began alternating between working parties, training, and short rotations in support positions, preparing for the upcoming operations in the Arras sector.

WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE

The soldiers now found themselves fighting the Germans in trench warfare. On the Western Front in 1914–1918, both sides constructed elaborate trench, underground, and dugout systems opposing each other along a front, protected from assault by barbed wire. The area between opposing trench lines (known as "no man's land") was fully exposed to artillery fire from both sides. Attacks, even if successful, often sustained severe casualties. Trench warfare created a living environment for the men which was harsh, stagnant, and extremely dangerous. Not only were trenches constantly under threat of attack from shells or other weapons, but there were also many health risks that developed into large-scale problems for medical personnel. Apart from the inescapable cold during the winters in France & Belgium, trenches were often completely waterlogged and muddy, and crawling with lice and rats

The time soldiers spent in the trenches varied depending on factors like their army's rotation system and the intensity of the conflict in their sector. On average:

·      Front-line trenches: Soldiers typically remained here for about 4–6 days at a time. This was where the fighting was most intense and the conditions were the harshest.

·      Support and reserve trenches: After time on the front line, soldiers were rotated to these positions for around 6–12 days. These trenches were set further back and offered slightly better conditions.

·      Rest periods: Soldiers were then moved away from the trench system entirely for rest, training, and recovery, often lasting several weeks, depending on operational needs.

The rotation system helped prevent complete physical and mental exhaustion, but the constant dangers of trench life meant there was rarely any true respite.

APRIL TO JUNE 1917

After being taken on strength on 2nd May 1917, George Watego spent the following weeks familiarising himself with the routines of the 26th Battalion. He would have alternated between working parties, route marches, and training exercises in the rear areas, gradually learning the layout of the trenches, the signals and routines of the battalion, and how to carry out pioneer and infantry duties in the Arras sector. This period also allowed him to get to know his fellow soldiers and adjust to the conditions of life on the Western Front before being admitted to hospital in early June.

HOSPITALISATION VENEREAL DISEASE JUNE 1917

On 4th June 1917, George Watego was admitted to the 6th Field Ambulance suffering from venereal disease (VD), a common but serious problem among troops on the Western Front. He was shortly transferred to the 39th General Hospital at Le Havre, where he received treatment according to the standards of the time. Management of VD in 1917 typically involved a combination of rest, isolation from the unit, and medical therapies such as applications of mercurial ointments or bichloride of mercury for syphilis, and bismuth or potassium permanganate treatments for gonorrhoea. Soldiers were also given instruction on personal hygiene and preventive measures.

Treatment could be prolonged, sometimes lasting several weeks, and recovery required the soldier to remain away from active duty until fully cured. While under care, George would have lived in hospital wards alongside other men undergoing similar treatment, with daily inspections and strict routines to prevent reinfection or the spread of disease. After several weeks, he was deemed fit for duty and rejoined the 26th Battalion on 3rd July 1917.

JULY TO SEPTEMBER 1917

After rejoining the 26th Battalion on 3rd July 1917, George returned to the battalion’s routine in the Arras sector, alternating between support and reserve positions. During July and August, the unit was engaged in the aftermath of the spring offensives, repairing trenches, constructing strongpoints, and reinforcing defensive positions. Pioneers and infantry alike carried out long working parties, route marches, and training exercises to maintain readiness. Conditions were often harsh, with mud, rain, and the constant threat of artillery fire making even routine duties exhausting.

THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES AUGUST- SEPTEMBER 1917

By late August, the 26th Battalion had moved north to Belgium, near the Ypres Salient, in preparation for the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). The battalion rotated through front-line trenches, support lines, and rest billets, while also repairing roads, laying duckboards, and building dugouts under difficult conditions. Soldiers like George faced constant danger from artillery bombardments and sniper fire, and exposure to the wet and cold increased the strain on their health and endurance.

BATTLE AT WESTHOEK RIDGE, SEPTEMBER 1917

WOUNDED IN ACTION

On 20th September 1917, during the battle at Westhoek Ridge, George Watego was severely wounded in the head and jaw, a devastating injury that immediately removed him from front-line service.

HOSPITALISED & EVACUATED TO ENGLAND

He was first admitted to the 6th Australian Field Ambulance, where he received urgent first aid close to the battlefield, before being evacuated to England for specialist care. In London, he was admitted to King George’s Hospital, a centre equipped to treat serious facial and cranial wounds. Treatment at the time would have involved careful cleaning and dressing of the wounds, surgical intervention where possible, and long periods of rest to allow recovery. Soldiers often endured painful procedures and strict immobilisation, and recovery could be slow and uncertain.

COMMAND DEPOT WEYMOUTH DECEMBER 1917

On 23rd December 1917, George was marched into No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, a facility designed for men likely to be unfit for duty for more than three months. While at Weymouth, he continued drilling and training to keep physically fit and to stay abreast of the latest military techniques and equipment, which were evolving rapidly during the war. This period of convalescence allowed him to rebuild strength and maintain morale, even though he remained unable to return to active service at the front.

DEEMED UNFIT & REPATRIATED TO AUSTRALIA FEBRUARY 1918

After approximately six months of treatment and rehabilitation, George was deemed unfit for further military duty and was repatriated to Australia. He embarked aboard the Balmoral Castle on 1st February 1918 and was formally discharged as medically unfit on 8th May 1918, concluding his wartime service. His bravery and endurance during recovery marked a significant chapter in his life, reflecting both the human cost of the war and the resilience of soldiers facing severe injury

His brother Murray Watego, who enlisted on the same day, was assigned to the 41st Infantry Battalion and after also being wounded in action was returned home on the same ship, as his brother. Neither knew they would be returning on the same ship

CLOTHING AND NECESSITIES GIVEN TO SOLDIERS FOR SOLDIERS PROCEEDING TO AUSTRALIA FOR DEMOBILISATION

Badges Hat                    Badges Collar (2)                    Bags kit universal

Bags kit sea                   Braces (pair)                            Brush, shaving

Brush, tooth                  Breeches M.S (Military service)

Cap comforter (warm cap)                                           Comb, hair

Disc identity with cord                                                  Drawers (2 pairs)

Great Coat                     Hat, Khaki fur                          Hat, white

Holdall                           Housewife (compact sewing kit)

Jackets Cardigan           Jackets S.D (service dress)

Leggings 1 pair             Laces, leather 1 pair

Puggarees, small (a traditional Indian head wrap, worn in warm conditions

Puttees, 1 pair (cloth bandages worn by soldiers, to provide support and protection for the lower leg)

Razor                              Shirts, flannel (2)                   Socks, 3 pairs

Singlets (2)

Strap chin                      Soap piece                               Suit, working

Towels, hand (2)

Titles “Australia” (4)-
Australian soldiers and non-commissioned officers wore an “Australia” title at the base of their shoulder straps. Each serving soldier also wore unit titles above this which indicated the units to which they belonged

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, George was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal

AFTER THE WAR

In June 1919 he married Sierra Leone Tabitha Turner (1886-1968) and found employment on the wharves of Brisbane, until his death in 1969.

If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.