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CAPT George J Greenshields

Ballarat City Rowing Club (VIC)

GEORGE JERRARD GREENSHIELDS- MiD 18/9/1917. CAPTAIN, ADJUTANT Field Artillery Brigade.

George Greenshields was born on the 31/1/1896. His parents were George James and Annie Greenshields. He was educated at Ballarat High School. He rowed at Ballarat City Rowing Club as a schoolboy.

He entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon on 12 March 1914 in the fourth intake of cadets and graduated on 3 April 1916 and enlisted the following day, 4/4/1916. The next day he was appointed as a Lieutenant and embarked for England a few weeks later with the 28th Battery of the 7th Field Artillery Brigade. In September 1917 he was promoted to Captain and appointed as Adjutant to the 7th Field Artillery Brigade. On 1 April 1918 he was killed by a German shell bursting in the hut he was in at the time. He was just 22 years of age.

The recommendation for his Mention in Despatches (dated 18 September 1917) states that the award was for his work with the 28th Battery, 7th Field Artillery Brigade, which he had served with since its formation, particularly for his leadership and coolness under heavy shellfire.

The MiD stated:

“Has displayed exceptional ability, courage, and devotion to duty in the Field. He has served with the Brigade since its formation, and the Battery to which he belonged - until recently appointed Adjutant - materially benefitted by his qualities of leadership and ability. Under heavy shellfire he has displayed the greatest coolness, and has invariably set a splendid example to his Unit in this regard”.

He is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Plot V11,Row A, Grave No.25, Mericourt-L’Abbe,France.

Group portrait of 10 graduates army cadets at Royal Military College, Duntroon. Old Ballarat High School students are depicted.

Marked on back: 'To Mum & Dad, with love from George'. This is likely to be Captain George Jerrard Greenshields since it was acquired by Museum Victoria with a collection relating to his service. George is most probably seated in the front row third from left as he has Lieutenant stripes on his arm. He graduated as a lieutenant and is the only cadet with stripes.

Kate Elliott
August 2021

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The idea for this history originated from the Olympic Rowing and World Senior Rowing Championship histories written by Andrew Guerin and Margot Foster in 1991, 1992 & 1993 for the Australian team handbooks. Andrew Guerin developed and extended these histories to the current format in 2004 for publication in 2004 and then expanded the site.

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