Army, Poet - Author

George was born in 1934 in Beachborough, Western Australia and, like most of his generation from the Great Depression, was taught the values of life and respect for others. He was familiar with hand-me-down clothes, patched pants, bare feet and, often, scant food on the family table.

“My mother was a wonderful, hard-bitten pioneer Australian woman. Tough, resourceful and resilient with a brilliant humour which, I believe, I was fortunate enough to emulate. It prepared me for the unseen hazards of life,” remembers George.

As was expected of the working class at the time, he left school early to help add to the family budget.  

“I enlisted into the army with five school mates when we were all seventeen. The Korean War had started and it was not unusual for youngsters to step forward and join up. Training was demanding and tough and there were no excuses. But it wasn’t torture and it served a purpose,” says George.

“Being in the army developed team and individual pride. My mates, including World War II veterans, really protected me as I was the youngest. As time went by, the survivors of these rough and tumble blokes reflected with immense pride that young Georgie became a one-star General.”

George served in Korea, the Malayan Emergency, Malaysia and on the Thai border. He was also commissioned from the ranks and served in the Vietnam War.

“I was planning to get out after six years, when I was 23, and study. However, my bride, Maureen, much wiser than me, encouraged me to matriculate at night school and supported me through many difficult and challenging obstacles. Sadly, she had a heart attack at a very young age, leaving me with four small children.

“The true heroes during time of war in all generations are the wives and families who keep the home fires burning. I later met and married the second love of my life, Helen. She arrived on the scene and just took over from where Maureen left off. She was a perfect lady. She, like Maureen, was very much a part of my success as husband, father and soldier.”

From 1980 to 1982, as a Lieutenant-Colonel, George set up the army’s Battle School (later renamed the Jungle Training Wing) at Tully in Queensland. His orders from the Chief of Army were, “I want it to be on the very edge of the battlefield.” He designed it to provide combat training for some of the most unforgiving environments imaginable. His quotes still adorn the walls there, as a reminder for soldiers, of all ranks, to hone individual and collective skills. One has become legendary and is now simply known as The Oath.

The oath to serve your country did not include a contract for normal luxury and comforts enjoyed within our society. On the contrary, it implied hardships, loyalty and devotion to duty, regardless of your rank.

Not satisfied with army retirement, in 1983 George became a reservist and went to Townsville to the 11th Field Force Group as the Assistant Commander. From there, he was promoted to Colonel and later to Brigadier. He served as Commander of the 11th Infantry Brigade and remained in this role until 1991.

George holds strong beliefs about what he’s learned from his many, and varied, life experiences. His memories of Korea are that it helped him mature and appreciate how wonderful Australia is. In Vietnam, sheer admiration for the conscripts. 

“In Malaya I learned to follow officers because that’s your job. Also, that there is more than one way to skin a cat or to punish a bloke. 

“I’m not really a chauvinist. I also learned from the two beautiful women in my life about maturity, responsibility and love.

“It’s knowing, understanding, valuing and appreciating people that matter in life. I often say that anyone can wear a uniform, but not everyone can be a disciplined individual who sets the standards,” says George.

In his retirement, George (as “Warrie” George) has become a prolific poet and published author. His textbook, Junior Leadership on the Battlefield, is now in its third edition. George has also written a fictional novel, The Mad Galahs, about the mateship, humour and camaraderie that he experienced in military life. He’s also published a collection of short stories and verse, titled, The Spirit of Australia. This has also had a second print and George is described in the foreword, as ‘lconic and patriotic, with a great zest for life.’

George’s poetry reflects life around him and he always tries to find a point of optimism to finish each piece of work. His themes are often of resilience, purpose and pride in the human condition. To live what he preaches, George is currently working on his fourth book, Reflections.

George claims his passion for writing was born from the trials of life and because of the levels of stupidity impacting on our nation - particularly in recent, challenging times.  

Above all is his belief that our history is a proud one and must never be distorted. 

“It’s a history which must always be part of a school’s curriculum,” he adds, firmly.  

One of his peers says of George, “Such is the overwhelming respect for this man that soldiers and officers alike still refer to him as Sir.”

Sleep

If I could only sleep the sleep of sleeps
To capture sweet deeds I can keep
In the cloak of night greet blissful rest so rare
To dream of peace and even love should I dare

I cannot escape this shrinking smothering room
Painted with spite, hate and terrible doom
I am shackled to the past and never to be free
Deep sleep in pure white sheets is not to be

Oh to be deaf to shrieks and howls spat from spiteful guns
Blind to flitting silent shadows mid the last rays of dying suns
Be gone the shuffling file of haunted faces never to smile again
If only a welcome storm to wash away the guilt and pain

In this lonely bed, to dream of peace, goodwill and love
To walk mid young green forests reaching high above
To hear the joyful welcome calls of feathered birds so bright
To shut out the darkness of yesterday and seek tomorrow’s light.

George Mansford
(c) September 2016