Unofficial identity disc : Private G R Waller, 1 Battalion, AIF

Places
Accession Number REL43616
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Personal Equipment
Physical description Aluminium
Maker Unknown
Date made c 1915
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Heart-shaped unofficial aluminium identity disc impressed on one side with '1004 G WALLER H 1 A I R C', and 'ANZAC 25 4 15 LONE PINE 6 8 15' on the other side. There is a hole at the top for suspension.

History / Summary

Born in Ballarat in 1886, George Richard Waller was unmarried and working as a miner when he enlisted in the AIF in August 1914 at Randwick in Sydney. 1004 Private G R Waller embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A19 Afric on 18th October 1914 with H Company, 1st Battalion. Waller served at Gallipoli, receiving a slight gun shot wound to the neck in early July 1915. He was well enough to return to his unit on 15 July, and took part in the battle of Lone Pine in August. On 15 September he was evacuated to Mudros, suffering from varicose veins, and then to England for surgery.

Waller rejoined 1st Battalion in Egypt in 1916 and was transferred to the 1st Pioneer Battalion in March. He served with that unit until he was evacuated from Bapaume in France, to England in February 1917 suffering from Trench Fever and nephritis associated with a severe case of Trench Feet. His condition was serious enough for him to be repatriated to Australia in May 1917. He was discharged on medical grounds, at his own request, in August of that year, despite being advised that he needed further medical treatment. George Waller died in Sydney in May 1920.

Waller had twin brothers who also served with the AIF during the First World War. 1441 Private John Henry 'Jack' Waller, 8th Battalion, and 503 Lance Corporal Walter Arthur Waller, Australian Provost Corps were both 20 years old when they enlisted in 1914. Jack was killed at Gallipoli on 27 April 1915. Walter died of wounds at El Arish, Palestine in January 1917.