ASIMUS, Ernest and Geoffrey

Ernest and Geoffrey were the sons of John and Honora Asimus who lived at Bukkulla, north of Inverell. Their births were registered at Inverell. Ernest became a carpenter and Geoffrey a grazier.

Geoffrey, aged twenty, enlisted in Sydney in August 1915 and joined the 1st Light Horse Regiment, 11th Reinforcement. He departed Australia for Egypt on the ship HMAT A47 Mashobra in October. The following year he was sent to England, transferred to the 4th Division Artillery Battery and sent to France in August. He became ill during 1917 and required hospital treatment for bronchitis.

Geoffrey went back to England in April 1919 and returned to Australia on the ship Beltana in July 1919. The following month he was one of several soldiers given a Welcome Home at Dinton Vale.

Ernest enlisted in Sydney in September 1915, when he was twenty-four years old. He joined the 1st Light Horse Regiment, 11th Reinforcement and sailed for Egypt on the same ship as his brother. He became ill and was hospitalised in January 1916 before being invalided back to Australia in 1916. Two years later he enlisted again, however the medical board rejected him for further service.

Before leaving Australia, Ernest and Geoffrey were among those given a public farewell at the Bukkulla Hall where residents presented them with a wristwatch, socks, and a silver pencil. The members of the Dinton Vale Rifle Club gave them an inscribed gold medal.

Ernest and Geoffrey have their names inscribed on the Inverell, Ashford and Inverell Presbyterian Church Honor Rolls.