GOVERS family

Brothers Arthur, Alfred and Albert Govers and their father Alfred Snr all served during World War 1. The family lived at Copeton, near Inverell, where the brothers were Miners and their father was an Engine Driver.

Arthur, the eldest of five boys, enlisted at Liverpool in June 1915.  He left Australia on HMAT A32 Themistocles in October 1915 and served in Egypt and Palestine with the 7th Light Horse, 10th Reinforcement. He returned to Australia in March 1919.

Albert enlisted at Armidale in February 1916, giving his age as eighteen years when in fact he was only fifteen. Albert joined the 33rd Battalion, A Company and sailed from Australia for England on HMAT A74 Marathon. After training at Salisbury Plain he was transferred to the 1st Battalion and sent to France in September 1916.  He was reported as missing in action on 5 November. A court of Inquiry later determined that he had been Killed in Action.  Private Albert Govers was buried at Grevillers British Cemetery, France. His name is inscribed on the Inverell Honor Roll and Cenotaph.  In 1919 he was one of the men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade.

Alfred Jnr enlisted at Inverell in July 1916. He was nineteen years old. He joined the 33rd Battalion, 5th Reinforcement and left Australia on SS Port Napier in November 1916. He served in France with the 9th Training Battalion. Alfred was wounded in September 1917 and returned to England for treatment of a gunshot wound to his thigh.  He went sent back to France in June 1918 and returned to Australia in December that year.

Alfred Snr enlisted at Inverell in July 1916 giving his age as forty four.  He joined the 33rd Battalion, 5th Reinforcements and sailed to England in the same ship as his son Alfred Jnr.  He served in England until he was returned to Australia in June 1918 and medically discharged.

The names of Arthur, Alfred Jnr and Alfred Snr are inscribed on the Inverell Honor Roll.