3922 Private George Stuart Sibbin - Bairnsdale Killed in Action 19 July 1916

….. killed while attending to a wounded comrade

George Stuart Sibbin was seen to be hit and killed while attending to a wounded comrade. He was never seen again and his name is recorded at VC Corner at Fromelles. The Sibbin family arrived in Bairnsdale when George was a young child and he went to school at 754 and then worked at Shannon’s drapery where he was employed until he enlisted in August 1915 at 23 years old. He was a member of St Andrew’s Presbyterian choir and was remembered as the comedian of the social events held in the local halls. He was also a valued member of the Bairnsdale Rowing Club competing regularly on the Mitchell River. He saw humour in almost everything and in both Egypt and France his cheery disposition, optimism and ready wit brightened up his comrades lot. His surviving comrades were deeply affected by his death with one of them writing Poor Stuart, we have lost a very loveable pal, whom we will never cease to miss. A blank has come into our lives by his death. His brother John was among the first to enlist the previous year and returned home safely in 1918.

Photo courtesy of the East Gippsland Historical Society Inc.