McGEE, Eric Harold

Eric was born in the Warialda district in 1888 to Charles and Amelia McGee. After two years as a member of the Warialda Rifle Club he enlisted at Inverell in November 1915.  At this time he was a twenty six year old Motor Driver at Warialda and husband to Violet, whom he had married the previous year. He joined with other Inverell district men to form the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs who left Inverell together in January 1916.

Eric became a member of the 33rd Battalion, C Company and trained at Armidale and Rutherford prior to leaving Australia in May 1916. After nine weeks at sea, the Battalion arrived in England where further training was undertaken at Salisbury Plain. This Battalion became part of the 3rd Division which was sent to France in November and initially camped at Armentieres.

Like many soldiers, Eric remained in France for some months after the end of the War and had a week’s leave in Paris in January.  He returned to Codford, England in March and came back to Australia in May 1919. Eric died in 1968.

Private Eric McGee is remembered at Inverell where his name is inscribed on the town’s Honor Roll