WOODFORD, George, Edgar and Austin

George, Edgar and Austin were the sons of George and Henrietta Woodford of Middle Creek, near Inverell.  Their births were registered at Inverell: George in 1885, Edgar in 1893 and Austin in 1897. The three men were members of the Inverell Pipe Band before the War.

George, a Miner aged twenty nine, enlisted at Inverell in November 1914 and became a member of the 4th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement. He left Australia on HMAT A48 Seang Bee in February 1915. He served in Egypt, was promoted to Corporal and then went to France where he was killed in action on 29 June 1916.  George was buried at Wye Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, France. 

Austin was an eighteen year old Tin dredger when he listed at Inverell in October 1915. He joined the 4th Battalion, 15th Reinforcement and left Australia on HMAT A15 Star of England in March 1916.  He served in France and returned to Australia in May 1919. 

Edgar, a drummer with the Inverell Pipe Band, was twenty two when he enlisted at Inverell in January 1916. With other district men he became one of the Second Contingent of the Kurrajongs who left Inverell together on 29 February 1916.  Edgar, a member of the 33rd Battalion, 1st Reinforcement, sailed from Australia on HMAT A74 Marathon in May.  After arriving in England training was undertaken at Salisbury Plain before he was transferred to the 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery and sent to France in November.  Only a month later, just before Christmas 1916 he was killed in action and buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.

The names of George, Edgar and Austin are inscribed on the Inverell and Gilgai Honor Rolls. The names of George and Edgar are also inscribed on the Inverell Cenotaph and the Inverell Independent Pipe Band Honor Roll. In 1919 memorial trees were planted for them in Kurrajong Parade.