George Kingsnorth Jarvis

George Kingsnorth Jarvis was born in 1879 in Cudgewa, Victoria, to William Jarvis and Catherine Rebecca, nee Simpson. There would be ten children in the Jarvis household, although one, Edward, would die at the age of one.

In September 1901, George showed what an entrepreneur he was by being appointed district agent for “Rangford’s Dingo Decoy”, which, apparently, was a popular commercial scent lure used to attract dingoes and foxes.

On July 19, 1915, he enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 36-year-old labourer living at Tallangatta, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 4233 and placed in the 13th Reinforcements for the 14th Battalion. George gave his next of kin as his mother, Catherine Jarvis.

The first three months of George’s enlistment show how quickly recruits were moved between units and depots. From July 26 to August 9, he was with the 72nd Company based at Seymour. Following this, he was with ‘A Company’ at Ballarat from August 9 to November 25, and finally from November 25 to December 2, he was stationed at Broadmeadows.

After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A64 Demonsthenes at Melbourne, Victoria, on December 29, 1915. George disembarked in Egypt and joined the 4th Training Battalion at Zeitoun. On March 6, 1916, he transferred to the 46th Battalion. Eleven days later, at Tel-el-Kebir, he was transferred again, this time to the 47th Field Artillery Battery of the 12th Field Artillery Brigade of the 4th Australian Division, where he was remustered as Gunner.

In early May, George was in France and relisted as a Driver. The next listing in his Service Record shows that he was admitted to a Field Ambulance unit. Between January 26, 1917 and January 2, 1919, George would spend only five months with his unit in France. The rest of the time, he spent in various hospitals suffering from epididymitis. This would eventually lead to the removal of cysts that had formed at the back of his testicles.

On January 25, 1919, he returned to Australia aboard HMAT A40 Ceramic, with the rank of Driver. He was discharged on December 5, 1919, and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service during the war.

In January 1921, George applied to purchase land. The January 13 1921, edition described the situation, showing that it wasn't easy for returned men to step back into the community.

“Land Board Sitting

A sitting of the Land Board was held at Corryong on Tuesday last, Mr E. T. Brennan officiating in place of Mr Giblett, who was indisposed. Cases were dealt with as follows:-

51 acres, 5a sec. 16, parish of Wabba. -  only two applicants appeared, viz., George K. Jarvis and E. A. McDonald.

George K. Jarvis stated that he was single, a labourer, returned soldier. He had considerable experience on land, but had never held any before, nor had made any previous application to the Closer Settlement Board for any. He would use the block for mixed farming. He was willing to pay the price asked, ￡5 per acre. He had received no assistance from the Repatriation in any shape. He did not hold his Qualification certificate.

In regard to the certificate, the land officer said that an applicant must hold a certificate, otherwise would be disqualified.

Ernest A. McDonald stated that he was married, with no family. He held a Qualification certificate. He had been on the land all his life. He would make a home on the block. Owned some cows and horses and a waggon.

McDonald's application was granted.”

In November of that year, George once again confronted the Land Board. This time, 14 blocks were available for 20 applicants. He was willing to accept any of the blocks to enable him to do mixed farming. He was granted Block No. 8. At 42 and single, George finally had his own farm.

January 14, 1939. A day that would become known as Black Friday. Fires had been burning in the district for some days, as they had around the state of Victoria. Strong winds fanned the fires on the northern side of Mt Mittamatite, and shortly after, the residents of Corryong and surrounds could see flames leaping in the air. Mt Mittamatite was ablaze. The Upper Murray was severely affected by the Black Friday fires. All that George was left with was a small bundle of clothes. Everything else was gone.

He passed away on August 15, 1957, at Corryong, Victoria and was buried in Corryong Cemetery.