Conclusion

Summary

The youthful innocence of many a stretcher-bearer is typified in the face of Private George Fowler. A pre-war carpenter and son of a carpenter, he enlisted in May 1916. For much of 1917 he was troubled by skin infections, even having to be hospitalised, and was then wounded in the wrist in October 1917. At Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918 he won a Military Medal as a 60th Battalion stretcher-bearer. His citation said he ‘continued with ceaseless energy to attend and to carry wounded to the dressing station despite heavy sniping and artillery fire from the enemy. By his unselfish devotion to duty he was instrumental in the saving of life and his cool and gallant bearing set an example to all.’ In July he was wounded by a gas shell. He was transferred to the 59th Battalion in September 1918, and during the same month was apparently reported missing.

The Red Cross Wounded and Missing File for Fowler contains a prosaic but poignant comment about him from another bearer: ‘I do not know from what state [of Australia] he came. In front of Estres [near Bellicourt] on 29/9/18 at 9 a.m. in the attack he was killed instantly by a shell. I was close to him when he was killed and took his place as S/B. I know nothing of his Burial.’ His body was found and buried at Bellicourt cemetery. He was 22 years old and married with a young daughter. His personal effects included a plan of Paris, a diary, a blank cheque and a religious book. George Fowler had died in his battalion’s last fight, and the last week of Australian fighting.