Sapper George James Littlefield

SAPPER GEORGE JAMES LITTLEFIELD

Q5635 – Tunnelling Reinforcements

Born in Charters Towers, Queensland on February 20, 1885 George James Littlefield was the son of George James and Elther (nee Charlesworth) Littlefield. In 1908 he was a Miner residing at Clarke and Valley Streets Charters Towers and in 1913 was at Plant and Valley Streets, Charters Towers. He moved to Ingham, Qld later that year working as a Labourer.

At the Recruiting Office in Ingham on March 11, 1916 the thirty-one year old passed the preliminary medical examination for service abroad. The unmarried applicant’s personal particulars were his height of 161cms (5ft 3½ins) with a chest measurement of 89cms (35ins) and good vision. His postal address was Mrs G.J. Littlefield, Plant Street, Charters Towers. He was declared ‘fit for active service’ and the recruiting officer in Ingham accepted his application on March 30, 1916.

The following day at the Townsville Recruiting Depot the medical examiner agreed with his Ingham counterpart as fit for service. Attestation forms were completed on April 10, 1916 which gives more information about him. Weight was 50.9kgs (112lbs) with a chest expansion of 84-88cms (33-34½ins) dark in complexion with brown eyes and dark hair. Church of England was his faith. Next-of-kin was his mother Mrs A. Littlefield of Plant Street, Charters Towers. The ‘Oath of Allegiance’ was signed and taken the same day.

Basic training commenced at the 11th Depot Battalion, Enoggera camp Brisbane until April 14 when he was allotted to train with ‘E Company’ remaining until May 19, 1916. A change of camps to the Miners’ (1st Military District) for further training continued until about June 29 when he transferred for further instruction to their Seymour camp in Victoria.

While at Seymour on August 3, 1916 his medical history was prepared for a report as follows:

Disability:Plantar corns on both feet.

Origin of Disability:1907

Place of Disability:Charters Towers

Essential facts:States that for nine years he has suffered from Plantar Corns on both feet and between the outer toes of both feet. Disability has been marked only since joining the A.I.F.

Caused by Service:No

Caused by:Badly fitting boots

Present condition:Plantar corns on both feet worse on right and painful in between two outer toes of both feet.

Pathological condition:Several corns on soles of both feet and between the two outer toes of both feet

Permanent condition:Permanent as regarding Military Service.

Board Finding:8/8/16.

The A.A.M.C. Major gave his approval on August 15 and on August 17, 1916 at Seymour, Vic he was granted a Discharge as medically unfit for service.

The following year on September 1, 1917 he married Sybil Constance Mulholland.

No war medals were awarded as he did not serve abroad.

Two years later in 1919 he was working at Duchess, Qld as a miner then returned to Ingham with the occupation of Labourer at Victoria Estate, Ingham, Qld. He remained in Ingham until after 1943 and returned to Valley Street, Charters Towers where he was working as a cook until 1954.

George James Littlefield died on July 27, 1954 aged 69 years. Funeral arrangements were published in the:

His grave is located in section 5 of the Charters Towers Cemetery in grave no. 3308.

His brother also enlisted for service.

JOHN HENRY LITTLEFIELD

6596 – Reinforcements 25th Battalion

John Henry Littlefield was also born in Charters Towers and was a year younger than his brother George. He left his occupation as a labourer when he enlisted on November 6, 1916 at 30 years of age. His father George James Littlefield was named as next-of-kin.

Training was at Enoggera Camp Brisbane and placed with the 19th Reinforcements to the 25th Battalion.

He was declared medically unfit and received a discharge on February 23, 1917.

He was ineligible for war medals as he did not serve abroad.

His name appeared on the Charters Towers Methodist Circuit Board Roll of Honour in 1914-1919 which was unveiled in November, 1917. The Board is now located in the Charters Towers Folk Museum (formerly Zara Clark Museum).