Private George Cyril Vercoe
- Rank
- Private
- Appointment
- Australian Army 1916 Western Front
- Service number
- 4352
- Unit
- 28 Battalion
- Cause of death
- Died of Wounds
- Place of death
- 44 CCS Puchevillers, France
- Date of death
- 30 August 1916
- Plaque number
- MC12
- Dedicated by
- His family on 13 May 2023
- More information
Biography presented during plaque dedication:
George Cyril Vercoe was born 12 July 1892, to John Penterwood Vercoe and Sarah Lillian Vercoe (nee White) in Moonta, South Australia. He had five sisters and two brothers.
George was educated at Moonta School of Mines, and on leaving school, was employed as a bank teller with the Union Bank. He was transferred to Western Australia with the bank and was known to enjoy tennis, rowing and fishing.
George enlisted in Bunbury on 13 September 1915, training at Blackboy Hill. On 9 November 1915, he was allocated to 13 reinforcements of 11 Battalion. In December of that year, he went to NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) school at 22 Depot and was appointed as Corporal.
On 18 May 1916, he disembarked at Marseilles, France from Alexandria, Egypt, where he was appointed Acting Sergeant at Etaples, France on 2 August 1916.
He was transferred to 28 Battalion in the Field and reverted to Private. The battalion was stationed and trained in various areas between Albert and the Pozieres region from 2 August 1916.
On 27 August 1916, the battalion relieved 15 Battalion in the trenches north-west of Pozieres, and it was on this day that George was wounded in action.
He was admitted to Fourth Australian Field Ambulance and then transferred to the 44 Casualty Clearing Station, Puchevillers where he succumbed to his wounds.
Private George Cyril Vercoe, service number 4352 of 28 Battalion, died of wounds on 30 August 1916. He was 24 years of age.
He is buried at Puchevillers British Cemetery, France and is remembered with honour.