DRINAN, George

George was working as a Labourer in the Inverell district when he enlisted in August 1915 stating that he was twenty four years old, born at Goulburn NSW and giving his address as the Federal Hotel, Inverell. He listed his friend Thomas Reardon of Swan Bay NSW as his next of kin.

George joined the 3rd Battalion, 14th Reinforcement and sailed from Australia on RMS Osterley in January 1916. After arriving in Egypt he was transferred from Alexandria to France in April. Four months later he was evacuated to England and admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound to his arm.  Upon recovery he returned to France in November.

Private Drinan was killed in action on 15 April 1917 and has no known grave.  His name is recorded on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France. His few personal effects, a brush, strap and razor, were returned to his friend Thomas Reardon.

At Inverell Private Drinan’s name is inscribed on the town’s Honor Roll and Cenotaph.  In 1919 he was one of the men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade.