Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

George Hewish Logan was the son of John and Mary Jane (née Hewish) Logan, of Timaru. He was born on 28 February 1892 at Timaru, the 9th child in a family of 12 (7 sons and 5 daughters). Two of the children died in infancy, John in 1886 and Christian in 1901. George was educated at Timaru Main School, where his big achievement was winning the over 12 sack race at the November 1905 sports contests and being awarded the prize at the school prize-giving in December. Like his brothers he excelled in sports. In 1909 he was a member of the winning Star fourth grade football team. The following year he played in the Star third grade tournament team, alongside his brother Stan. There was a protest that “Logan”, one of the Star players was a senior man, having played in first grade matches. As two Logans were included in the Star team, the captain gave evidence that S. Logan had played at Temuka for Star III, while the match in question had been played at Timaru. G. Logan played in a senior game on the day but had not played since. His evidence was corroborated by the referees’ lists and the protest was dismissed. In that year (1910) their team was successful in the seven-a-side tournament and the players were presented with medals at a Star Football Club social. Their club rooms were too small for all who came along to do them honour.

George was an apprentice in Timaru for five years. In about 1911 he went to Australia where he continued his trade as a painter. He enlisted on the outbreak of war, on 23 August 1914, at Randwick, New South Wales. Twenty-two years 6 months old, single, Methodist, and a painter, he named as his next-of-kin, his father – Mr John Logan, Wilson Street, Timaru, New Zealand. He was 5 feet 3½ inches tall, weighed 10 stone 3 pounds and had a chest measurement of 34-36 inches. Of fair complexion, he had blue eyes and brown hair. He was free of any diseases and deformities. He could see the required distance with either eye. His heart and lungs were healthy. He had the free use of his joints and limbs. He had no distinctive marks and was free of all diseases and defects which may have rendered him unfit for the duties of a soldier. He declared that he was not subject to fits of any description. Thus he was fit for Active Service.

Embarking with the 2nd Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force at Sydney, New South Wales, on 18 October 1914, per the “Suffolk”, he reached Alexandria in Egypt on 8 December 1914. It was on 5 April 1915 that he embarked at Alexandria to serve in the Gallipoli Campaign. On 30 April 1915 he suffered a shrapnel wound to the forehead at the Dardanelles and admitted to the 17th General Hospital. In May his father received word that he had been wounded at the Dardanelles and subsequently a cable message stating that his son was “progressing favourably”. A few weeks later the word was that George was “now convalescent”, but there was no information as to his whereabouts. On 14 May he had transferred to S.S. Franconia for duty from Mustapha and rejoined his Unit at The Dardanelles a few days later.

His parents received from George a postcard dated 12 May 1915 at Alexandria. This appears to be when he was hospitalised after being wounded the first time. “Just a few lines to let you know I am quite well,” he writes. “I get three feeds a day and a good bed to sleep in. . . . . . I hope to be discharged soon and sent back to the Front. . . . . . My head is better now, and I am quite fit to go back, but they don’t seem to think so.” His brothers Thomas Stanley and Reuben Charles were on their way to the Front at this time. His parents received a letter later in July when George was back at the Front. A very touching letter it is. George is again fighting fit and in such good spirits, only to be killed shortly after. “I am having a good time, in fact, a picnic, while fighting here. . . . . . . Just arrived back at the Front in time for a fight and came out of the ordeal first rate. I got my own back and some more with it. . . . . . . we can hold our own till Doomsday.”

There was another letter, written on 26 July 1915 at the Front on the one sheet of paper he had won in a draw among four of them. It arrived after he had been killed but well before notification of his death was received. He appears very determined and mentions burials of comrades. He writes “You seem to be worrying a lot about me. I can look after myself. You ask if I was frightened the first day. We were too keen and didn’t get time to be frightened. . . . . . All I want is to shoot more Turks. . . . . . . This trench work is too slow, and the heat and flies are deadly. . . . . . I am taking lessons on the machine gun now, in reserve, in case any of them get knock-out.”

On 8 August 1915, Private G. H. Logan, 528, Australian 2nd Battalion, was wounded for a second time at Gallipoli. Mr John Logan was informed to this effect on 7 September. Not knowing the whereabouts of George and getting mixed messages, the family was naturally troubled and very anxious (they had already lost Stan on 7 August 1915, and Rue was at the front), and they sought the help of James Craigie, M.P. They did briefly hold out hope as G. Logan, a New Zealander serving with the Australian forces, had returned to duty after being wounded. This was, however, another soldier. As of 3 January 1916 there was no further information. Following an enquiry from Miss R. Logan as to the whereabouts and condition of her brother, the family received confirmation on 12 January that George was wounded and missing, news which was a great blow. “He was a true brave boy,” his sister Rachel wrote on 13 January 1916. “I wish we had another like him, our three best have gone, only one left now.” On 8 January 1916 it was reported that George had been “Wounded and missing” since 8 August 1915. George had been struck in the stomach by a bullet in the charge at Lone Pine. A witness was present and actually saw him. He was pretty bad and could not speak. He lay down on the ground and the witness did not see him again.

On 24 March 1916 he was pronounced as killed in action on 8 August 1915 at the Gallipoli Peninsula, as determined by a Court of Enquiry held on board H.M.T. Z23. George H. Logan was 23 years old. Although he had previously been reported wounded and missing, notification of his death was not received by his parents until 22 May 1916, more than nine months after his death. The Minister of Defence conveyed his sincere sympathy, as did the Governor and Lady Liverpool on behalf of the King and themselves. The Australian casualty list No 172 in May 1916 carried this report. His brother Thomas Stanley Logan was killed in action also at Gallipoli, the day before. Another brother Reuben Charles Logan also served in WWI and was at the Front at this time.

George, Stanley and Reuben were all members of the Star Football Club. At the club's annual meeting in April 1915 the names G. Logan, S. Logan and R. Logan were among those forwarded to the South Canterbury Rugby Union for the compilation of a New Zealand Roll of Honour. All three were already attached to the Expeditionary Forces at this date. Reuben Charles Logan saw service in World War II also. Their oldest brother William who had joined the Timaru Port Guards on 9 April 1900 with the rank of Private, was listed in the Reserves. Another brother, James Logan, was also listed on the Reserve Roll.

G. H. Logan's name is inscribed on the Wesley Church Roll of Honour in the Bank Street Methodist Church. This Roll of Honour was unveiled at a very impressive service in early June 1915, after an address by the Rev. T. A. Joughin, opening with the words "Sorrow and pride mingle in the duty I have to perform", and while the "Litany for Army and Navy" was sung. The inscription on the roll, followed by the names, is thus –

“Roll of Honour, Bank Street Methodist Church”

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.” – St John 15-13.

In his report of 24 May 1916 the headmaster of the Timaru Main School noted that the name of George Logan had been added to the school list of those who had died for their country. The school committee passed a motion of sympathy with George’s parents and sent a letter. At the school committee meeting in April 1917 it was reported that 300 old boys of the school had joined the Expeditionary Forces, of whom 30 had made the supreme sacrifice – among them G. Logan and S. Logan. At the Timaru Main School, on Saturday, June 25, 1921, an important ceremony took place, when a very fine monument, standing in the school grounds at the corner of Arthur and Grey streets, was unveiled. The memorial is “a testimony to duty faithfully done, even unto death.” Nine days earlier the foundation stone for this memorial to the ex-pupils of the school who had lost their lives in the Great War, was laid. Scrolls bearing the names of the fallen ex-pupils (70) and of others who had served in the war (361) were inserted in the cavity of the stone.

In May 1916 his sister Rachel wrote enquiring about his pay so that they could settle his affairs. As he had made no allotment, his pay had accumulated. “Does this (killed in action) mean he is buried and a stone will be put on his grave?” Rachel asked. Rachel later advised that, although J. Logan named as George’s next-of-kin was his father, George had left a Will in favour of his mother. Although R. Logan (6 Wilson Street, Timaru), who was conducting the correspondence was addressed as Mr R. Wilson, this person was surely Rachel who lived at home, while her brother Reuben was at the Front. A death certificate was duly forwarded to the Public Trustee on 31 May 1916.

His name is recorded on the Lone Pine Memorial (which commemorates Australians and New Zealanders who have no known grave), at Anzac, Turkey. He is also remembered on the Timaru Memorial Wall and on the Timaru Bank Street Methodist Church Memorial, on his parents’ headstone in the Timaru Cemetery, and on the Australian War Memorial. A photograph of Private G. H. Logan was printed in the Sun (NSW), of 21 May 1915, when he was reported wounded at The Dardanelles, and again in the Sydney Morning Herald of 24 January 1916, when he was reported as missing and wounded.

In mid 1921 there was communication from the Base Records Office in Melbourne to George's father, John Logan, seeking any information in letters which may help to clarify the circumstances of George's death and his burial place. His sister Rachel replied that they really had no conclusive information and that they would be relieved to know the truth about his death. “He was reported wounded, later we had word he was at Alexandria. Three months later we heard he was dead. Through soldiers writing to their friends. . . . . . Some of the boys say he died on a hospital ship going to England. One soldier says he saw him lying badly wounded, but never heard of him again. Another says he knows where he is buried, near his own brother. But as this soldier was Australian, we do not know his name.” Two years after his death they had received his bible and purse from England. “They must have been taken from his pockets.” As of 17 July 1917 there was no trace of a grave site.

J. Logan acknowledged receipt of the 1914-1915 Star in November 1920. In 1921and 1922 respectively, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal were transmitted to his father, as were the Memorial Plaque and Memorial Scroll, and a pamphlet “Where the Australians Rest” . Mr J. Logan, acknowledged on 1 July 1921 receipt of a package of the effects of the late No 528 Private G. H. Logan, 2nd Battn. A package of personal effects had been forwarded by registered post from the Kit Store in January 1918 – Purse, New Testament, Cards. In April 2009 at Sydney, two memorial plaques fitted into circular frames were offered for sale - plaques for two brothers, one for 528 Pte George Hewish Logan killed in action on 8 August 1915 at Gallipoli and the other for Pte Thomas Stanley Logan killed in action on 7 August 1915 at Gallipoli.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [23 March 2015]; CWGC [29 November 2013]; Australian First World War Embarkation Rolls (awm.gov.au) [29 November 2013]; Australian War Roll of Honour [29 November 2013]; Australian Imperial Force Attestation Paper (National Archives of Australia) [01 December 2013]; Timaru Cemetery headstone image (Timaru District Council) [29 November 2013]; Timaru Herald, 13 December 1886, 17 November 1905, 15 December 1905, 25 May 1909, 2 & 6 June 1910, 25 August 1910, 9 September 1910, 16 April 1915, 21 & 22 May 1915, 7 & 17 June 1915, 1 & 23 July 1915, 8, 13, 17 & 21 September 1915, 23, 25 & 30 May 1916, 28 April 1917, Lyttelton Times, 8 June 1915, 2 July 1915, Sun, 20 September 1915, New Zealand Times, 20 September 1915, Dominion, 17 January 1917, Evening Post, 21 January 1916, Press, 7 February 1916 (Papers Past) [29 November 2013; 05 May 2014; 01 September 2014; 13 October 2014; 18 & 19 April 2015; 05 October 2019]; Militaria Sale - Noble Numismatics (www.noble.com.au) [29 November 2013]; Australian Commonwealth Military Forces (www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8080) [03 November 2014]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [2013; 18 April 2015]; School Admission Records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG) [2013]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [18 April 2015]; Timaru Herald, June 1921 (Timaru District Library) [20 April 2018]; Sun (Sydney, NSW), 21 May 1915, Sydney Morning Herald, 24 January 1916 (Trove) [06 October 2019]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record

Related Documents

• LOGAN George Hewish - newspaper extracts (pdf, 120.8 KB updated 06-Nov-2019)

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC brnach NZSG

Currently Assigned to

TS