LAVELL, George Charles

George Charles Lavall was, by occupation, a horsebreaker. Born in Bairnsdale, Victoria, he was 33 years and 6 months old when he enlisted, a married man, 5' 9 1/2 " tall, with blue eyes and dark brown hair. He was also identified by numerous scars on his arms, knees and abdomen, probably as a result of his occupation. In addition, he had two tattoos on his forearm and one bent finger. He was, by religion a Roman Catholic. Little is known other than that. Both parents were dead and his next of kin was a brother, Peter Henry Lavell, of 43 Langridge St., Collingwood.

George Lavell enlisted on a May, 1916 and was to serve 897 days in military service. He was sent first to Royal Park for field artillery training, then to Maribynong and after training, was made a Driver for the 3rd Division Artillery Company, then the 2nd DAC and finally, attached to the 4th Field Artillery Brigade.

Artillery was a determinant of battleground success in World War 1. The supply of ammunition to the forces fighting on the battlefield was essential. Each division had an Ammunition Column to move ammunition up to the guns by moving it from 'front line storage' up to the 'First Line', the battlefield. The supply line went from manufacture, to storage, to distribution and provision. The Ammunition Column was also responsible for the disposal of unexploded ordinance and the recovery of re-uasable components. 

The ammunition was carried to the front line on heavy wagons by teams of horses, and was a prime target for enemy attack. Horse drawn transport laden with ammunition was particualrly vulnerable - horses could be targeted by rifle fire, or shells, and in the latter part of the war, by enemy aircraft. 

George Lavell left Melbourne on 23 November, 1916, embarking on H.M.A.T. Hororata and landing at Plymouth, England on 29 January, 1917. From Plynouth he was sent toPerham Downs for further trining, arriving there on 4 February, 1917. From Perham Downs he was sent to Larkhill on 1 April, then to the AIF Depot and finally to Southampton, where he embarked for France, marching in to Rouelles on 4 November, 1917. He was finally taken on strength in the field on 10 November, 1917.

In 1918, George Lavell's pre-war injuries saw him in hospital in January, February and April with synovitis of the knee, particularly his left knee. He finally developed an oedema of the leg and on 31 March, 1918, was transferred back to England and, after annother time in hospital, back to Australia. On 14 October, 1918, he was back in Melbourne and discharged from further service.

Little can be found of his post war life. In 1919, the Electoral Rolls show him as being at the Y.M.C.A. Maribynong Military Camp. In 1924, he was living in Nathalia, near Echuca, and working as a horsebreaker. 

After that, there seeem to be no Electoral Records for him. He is recorded as dying in Nathalia on 1 January, 1947.