George Francis Stirling was born in July, 1896. On 7 January, 1916, nineteen years and six months old,he enlisted to go to the war. His parents, George Francis Stirling and Annabellea Stirling, nee Dowell, were deceased, and he named as his next of kin his brother, Robert Stirling, living at the East Melbourne mansion 'Varzin', 108 George St.. His brother was a business man, and probably succeeded his father in the business, giving his address as C/- George Stirling and Sons, 248 Bridge Rd., Richmond. It is probable that the younger George Stirling also worked there, giving his occupation on the enlistment form as 'Draper'.
George Stirling had already had some military experience when he enlisted, eight months with 19th Artillery Battery at Windsor. Following further training, he was attached as a Gunner to the 1st Battalion, 16th Reinforcements, the on 5th May, the day he embarked for active service, was nominated as a Driver. He left on board H.M.A.T. A17 Port Lincoln for more training in England. On 4 September, he marched in from Park House to the Artillery Training Depot at Bulford. Finally on 30 December, 1916, he was sent to France, transferred from the 3rd Division Artillery Headquarters to the 8th Field Artillery Brigade at the battlefront. He was probably in the field at the final month of the Battle of Verdun, joining his unit 'in the field' on 7 January, 1917.
On 27 June, he was sent to the 4th Field Ambulance units, suffering from scabies. It must have been a fairly severe case and accompanied by other health issues, because he was only discharged to duty on 1 September that year, finally rejoining his unit on 3 September, 1917.
On 4 April, 1918, he was wounded in action, with a gunshot wound to his left leg. This was in the early stages of the Battle of Ancre, where 255,000 Allied casualties, with dead. George Stirling was admitted to a Casualty Clearing Station, then transferred to the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital, before being transferred to England on 8 April. Here was was admitted to Colliton House, Dorchester. On 26 June, he was finally released to the No 8 Auxiliary Hospital. He was still not fully recovered when released and was placed in the Group Clearing Hospital at Sutton Veny suffering from influenza.
By this time, the war was coming to an end. On 13 November, two days after the German surrender,George Stirling marched in from hospital to the No. 1 Command Depot and then to Weymouth for the journey home. On 9 January, 1919, he was returned from England to Australia on board the Argyllshire and, once back in Melbourne, was discharged from service on 19 April, 1919.
In 1920, he married Margarita Amanda Harris. On 18 August 1926, he died, the cause given ' war wounds'.
NAA Australian War record George Francis Stirling
Ancestry, Public Member Tree, George Francis Stirling.