George
Ingram
(Born 1889)
George Morby Ingram, VC & MM
Lieutenant George Morby Ingram VC, MM was born at Bendigo on 18th March,
1889 but spent most of his early life at Lilydale, where he received his schooling. At 14
years he joined the Militia and was attached to No. 7 Company of the Australian Garrison
Artillery. He was apprenticed as a carpenter and joiner and when he completed this he went
into business at Caulfield (Melbourne) as a building contractor. George enlisted on 10th December, 1914 with the Aust. Naval & Military Exped. Force and served in New Guinea. He was discharged, as a corporal on the 19th January 1916 and on the same day enlisted in the A.I.F. and went to France early in January, 1917. On the 18th March he was promoted to Temp. Sergeant and week later went into action at Bapaume and was awarded the Military Medal for "Great courage and initiative as a member of a bombing section, by excellent placing of his bombs". On the 10th October, 1917 he was made Company Sergeant-Major and on the 20th June, 1918 his appointment as 2nd Lieutenant was gazetted. In July, after a short spell in hospital, he was engaged in the Allied offensive which followed till the end of the war. He was awarded the Victoria Cross, for as his citation reads, "Most conspicuous bravery and initiative during the attack on Montbrehain, East of Peronne, France, on the 5th October, 1918". In April, 1919 George returned to Melbourne and his appointment was terminated on 2nd June, 1919. On completion of Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance, George was chosen as a member of its Permanent Guard. On 24th December, 1951 George married Myrtle L. Cornwall and there were two sons of the marriage. He died at his home at Hastings (Vic.) on 1st July, 1961. |