Contributed by Ron Inglis, October 2021:
Sydney-born farm hand George Ogiloy Divorty is one of at least six Auburn Memorial men who died while still in his teens. Divorty enlisted on 29 January 1917 stating his age was 18 1/12.
Private Divorty embarked on the Shropshire four months after enlistment, arriving in Plymouth, United Kingdom, on 19 July 1917. He was kept back for a considerable time in training camps on the Salisbury Plain, his age being the most likely factor. It was not until January 1918, a year after enlistment, that Divorty proceeded to France and marched into the 3rd Battalion in the First Australian Division.
At this time all five Australian divisions were up in Flanders, resting over the northern winter. The 3rd Australian Division was the first Australian Division to be brought south to stem the German offensive launched in March 1918. The other Australian divisions also made the journey south by forced march and train to defend Amiens on the Somme, but the 1st Australian Division, including Private Divorty, did not stay long. The Germans had broken through in the Nursery Sector threatening the railway junction town of Hazebrouck, so no sooner had the First Australian Division arrived in Amiens than they were ordered back onto the train to return north from where they had just come.
Divorty was killed in action defending Hazebrouck on 18 July 1918, aged 19. He was buried near Meteren, but after the war his grave could not be found, therefore his name is inscribed on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.
George Divorty is honoured on the following memorials in Australia:
- Auburn War Memorial
- Municipality of Auburn 1914-1919 Honour Roll
- Roll of Honour Australian War Memorial Canberra
His decorations:
- British War Medal
- 1914-20 Victory Medal
