STORMER, George and Ernest

George and his son Ernest both enlisted for War Service in September 1915.  George was a forty two year old Miner at Stannifer, near Inverell. Eighteen year old Ernest had attended Stannifer Public School before becoming a Shop Assistant. 

George joined the Mining Corps Company 1 which left Australia on HMAT A38 Ulysses in February 1916.  He served on the Western Front with the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company until being discharged medically unfit in October 1917 and returning home.

Ernest became a member of the 20th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement and sailed from Australia on HMAT A60 Aeneas in December 1915.  He was wounded at Pozieres, France and died on 14 August 1918.  Private Stormer was buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery in France. He is remembered at Inverell where his name is recorded on the Honor Roll, and Cenotaph. After the War a tree was planted in his memory in Kurrajong Parade Inverell.

The Tingha Advocate Newspaper 1 September 1916 reported that at Stannifer an impressive memorial service was conducted for Private Stormer during which he was described as ‘a bright, kind and most unselfish lad, one who was greatly beloved by those who knew him’.

The names of George and Ernest are recorded on the Stannifer and Old Mill Honour Board.

Ernest’s brother Herman enlisted at Inverell in October 1918 however he due to the end of the War he did not serve.