Next of Kin plaque : Company Sergeant Major George Andrew Werner, 33rd Battalion, AIF

Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge. Beneath the main figures, the British lion defeats the German eagle. The initials 'ECP', for the designer Edward Carter Preston appear above the lion's right forepaw. A raised rectangle above the lion's head bears the name 'GEORGE ANDREW WERNER'.

Born in Tenterfield, New South Wales, George Andrew Werner was working as a labourer in a saw mill near Inverell, although he was a qualified bootmaker, when he enlisted in the AIF in November 1915. After initial training he was posted to the headquarters of 33rd Battalion, service number 1510, as a sergeant shoemaker. He left Sydney with his unit on 4 May 1916, aboard HMAT A74 Marathon. After further training in England Werner arrived in France in November 1916. At an unknown date he transferred to the battalion's A Company. He was promoted Company Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer II) in July 1917.

Werner was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal during the third battle of Ypres. The recommendation for the award reads: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the 12th Octr. 1917 near PASSCHENDAELE./ This W.O. went forward of our lines in search of wounded, working over marshy ground and under heavy shell fire, he brought in two wounded men./ His Coy. suffered heavy casualties and had only one Officer left. He was chiefly responsible for the rapid and efficient organisation of his Coy. He did excellent work in consolidating the new line./ Throughout the operation he displayed great courage, coolness and determination. Although the conditions were very adverse he maintained a most cheerful and optimistic attitude and set an excellent example to his men.'

Werner was mortally wounded at Hangard Wood, near Villers Brettoneux, in the afternoon of 30 March 1918, when he was hit in the abdomen and thigh by machine gun fire. He was carried to a dressing station, then to the 9th Field Ambulance where he received further treatment before being evacuated by Red Cross motor ambulance to 41st (British) Casualty Clearing Station at Auchy. Marked to be evacuated to England, Werner was taken to No 2 Ambulance train. He died on the train, on 31 March, before it reached Rouen, and was buried in the St Sever Cemetery Extension there.

This commemorative plaque was sent to Werner's father, Robert, in October 1922.