Aberle, George William
2791 Warrant Officer George William Christian Aberle - 15th Light Horse Regiment
George William Christian Aberle was born in Goodwood South Australia on the 8th May 1878 to William and Annie Aberle. He was one of four siblings, with, Elsie 1881, Bertha 1884 and Frank 1892.
He was educated and had his early years in South Australia but in the late 1890's the family moved to Western Australia and set up residence in Fremantle. The family set up residence in Mandurah Road South Fremantle and George was working locally as a baker.
During this time George served for five years with the 18th Light Horse Regiment of the Citizens Military Forces.
In February 1907 George married Agnes Jane Mansel at St Paul's Church Beaconsfield and they would have Elsie in 1908, Alfred in 1909, Frank in 1913. the family then moved to 110 Lefroy Road Beaconsfield (later renumbered to 16 Lefroy).
On the 4th March 1916 George enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was passed as fit for enlistment with the Medical Examiner, recording George's physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 6 inches tall;
Weight - 145lbs;
Chest Measurement - 35-39 inches;
Complexion - Fresh;
Eyes - Grey;
Hair - Brown.
After his successful enlistment, George was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where hew as initially assigned to No.53 training Depot. He spent a few weeks on infantry training and on the 4th April 1916 was transferred to the 18th reinforcements to the 11th battalion AIF. He only spent a day with this group as George had requested to be with the Australian light Horse.
George was then sent to the Light Horse Depot Training Squadron. He had to pass the riding tests and show other horsemanship skills. He was then assigned to the 19th Reinforcements to the 10th Light Horse Regiment.
In October 1916 George fell ill and was sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital in Fremantle. On his return to camp he was given the rank of Sergeant and was assigned to the 25th Reinforcements to the 10th light Horse Regiment.
George excelled at training and was given the rank of Acting Squadron Sergeant Major and was assigned to the Depot Training Squadron at Blackboy Hill Camp. On the 15th March 1917 he was then assigned to the Camel Corp Reinforcements. He then trained with this group for the next two months.
On the 22nd May 1917 George and his group entrained to Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Boorara. The ship then set sail for Egypt, reaching Suez on the 20th June 1917. George's rank was only for the initial training and voyage and upon reaching Egypt he reverted to Private.
As there was some sickness among the troops on the voyage, on arrival George and others were sent to an isolation camp at Moascar. On the 16th July 1917 George was then transferred to the Imperial Camel Corps depot camp at Abbassia and was then appointed Temporary Sergeant. He was here for a month then in August was posted to No.13 Company of the 3rd Battalion Imperial Camel Corps. On joining this unit George reverted back to Private.
He served with this unit for the next few months when they saw action in October and November 1917 around Beersheba and Jerusalem. He was soon promoted back to Corporal and on the 30th December 1917 was transferred to the 4th Battalion Imperial Camel Corps. He saw further action with this unit around Jericho and then the operations moved to the Jordan Valley.
On the 2nd March 1918 Corporal Aberle was sent to a Sergeants training course at Zeitoun. He passed this course well and returned to his unit in April 1918. He was then promoted to Temporary Sergeant.
Once the operations moved out of the Jordan Valley and into more fertile areas, the use of the Camels diminished, with the result that the Australians in the Camel units were returned to the Australian Light Horse. George found himself in the Light Horse Depot Camp in July and August 1918.
in September 1918 he was transferred to the 15th Light Horse Regiment. The unit fought in the operations leading to the capture of Damascus and then the occupation of Syria. In late October 1918 the Turkish forces surrendered and a few weeks later the Germans signed the Armistice.
George remained with the 15th Light Horse Regiment through to January 1919. He was then detached for duty with the Light Horse Headquarters in Cairo and was given the rank of Staff Sergeant Major. George would have the next six months in Egypt.
On the 24th July 1919 he boarded the troopship Dongola and set sail for Australia, reaching Fremantle on the 17th August 1919. George was then discharged from the AIF on the 16th September 1919.
He returned home to Lefroy Road Beaconsfield for a few years but in the early 1920's decided on a change and moved a bit further south to Spearwood where he worked as an Orchardist.
George and Agnes would have another child, Rae in 1924.
George's mother died in Fremantle on the 11th November 1930, and his Father died in Fremantle on the 14th December 1934.
During this time George was still working as an Orchardist in Spearwood. He was also president of the Spearwood Fruit Growers and Market Gardeners Association for a time. He was also employed as an Orchard Inspector. The following picture published in the Sunday Times.
Despite being in his 60's George offered his services in World War Two. He was accepted for home service with the Australian Army and given the service number of W67789. George would serve in the Fremantle Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps.
After World War Two George continued to reside in Spearwood.
George Aberle died on the 26th October 1957 aged 78. He was cremated at Fremantle Cemetery and his ashes placed in the family grave at plot Anglican MONA A4 0025.