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Catholic Church just after the war ended. They married at St.Mary of the Angels in Paddington in April 1919. At the time my mother was living in Kensington with her parents, but after the marriage my grandparents returned to Belgium and my parents took over the house.

My uncle, George Jumpertz, had started his training as a Merchant Seaman at the outbreak of the First World War. He was fourteen years of age and sailing in the channel on a Belgium training ship when a British Destroyer informed them that Germany had invaded Belgium. They were advised to return to Antwerp at once. He tried to return home to Malines but the Germans had already occupied the area.

His elder brother Joseph was seventeen and had volunteered for the army. He was sent to the front after a short training period. George, who wanted to be with his brother, also volunteered but was, turned down at the recruitment office as he was under age. However it appears that with his brother’s help, he managed to get into the same regiment, The 10th. Regiment of the Line.

George began his distinguished army career in May 1916 and was transferred to the 1st Regiment of Grenadiers after he had been gassed in the front line during June 1915. He was decorated with the Croix de Guerre on May 3rd. 1916, after which he was transferred to the Artillery Instruction Centre. George was awarded the Medaille Militaire.

George fort at the front alongside his brother Joseph, for early part of the war. After George had been gassed the brothers became separated. Joseph a very successful soldier eventually becoming a sergeant. In 1917 he was badly wounded at Pashandale and on September 28th. 1918 was taken to the Military Hospital, L’Ocean De Panne, where he died on November 8th.1918.

His brother George only learnt of this in December! The war was over and George was so distressed he left his post to go to his brother. Unfortunately he had not obtained permission for his action and was reported absent without leave! He was arrested in May 1919 and taken to a prison in Liege. In July he was dismissed but it was not until May 1923 that he was able to obtain a pardon for leaving his post and was given six front stripes together with a Medal of Victory and a Commemoration Medal.

George was so upset at the treatment he had received from the Belgium administration that he spent a lot of time in England often staying at my mother’s house in Kensington. He later immigrated to Australia in the hope of starting a new life. His father Joseph had promised to help him buy a house and land when he got there George purchased a ticket for thirty-seven pounds and commenced his voyage sailing with his friend Charles Junoet on December 14th. 1922 They sailed from London to Adelade aboard the S.S.Ballarat.

From Adelade he took a boat to Melbourne. He then travelled overland to Malden were he obtained a job as an orderly in the Hospital. It was while he was there that he met Elizabeth (Tot) Agnes Bynne. Her family were Swiss and had a hotel in Castlemain. In June 1924 his father Joseph died and with him the promise of help in buying a house.

Some years previously, Malden had been a Gold Rush town and large quantities of Gold had been dug from the area. George purchased land in the area of the old mine workings. He used his savings and what little inheritance he might have received

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