George Ingram Stevenson CMG DSO (1882 - 1958)

Ancestors

Biography

Colonel George Ingram Stevenson CMG DSO was born on 8th March 1882 at Kelvinside, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was the second son of George Stevenson, a colliery cashier, and Margaret Ingram.^[1]

The family, then comprising George, his parents, two older sisters and a younger brother, migrated to Victoria (Australia) aboard the Loch Sloy, arriving at Port Melbourne on 23rd October 1886. Two more sisters were born in Victoria; before George was educated at Brunswick College, Melbourne.

George served two tours in South Africa during the Second Boer War; firstly with the Prince of Wales Light Horse and then with the 4th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse towards the conclusion of the war. ^[2] He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with five clasps.

Upon his return to Australia George transferred to the (volunteer) Garrison Artillery in Victoria, a unit of the (Royal) Australian Artillery, with which he was commissioned on 20th September 1909 and promoted to Captain in 1912. Qualifiying as a chartered accountant in 1909 with a degree from the University of Melbourne, George went into practice in 1911.

On 14th August 1914, upon the outbreak of the (First World) War, George transferred to the Australian Imperial Force; his young nation's overseas expeditionary force for the war. ^[3] He embarked aboard HMAT Shropshire A9 on 20th October 1914 with the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade (FAB). ^[4] He was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for his service at Gallipoli; gazetted in London 8th November 1915. ^[5]

Whilst commanding officer of the 21st FAB he was Mentioned in Despatches (equivalent to today's Commendation for Gallantry) twice; gazetted in London 6th October 1916 and on 4th January 1917. ^[6][7] He was later appointed commanding officer of the 3rd FAB upon promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, where he was Mentioned in Despatches twice more; gazetted in London 28th December 1917 and on 31st December 1918; ^[8][9] and appointed Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his service in France and Flanders with the 3rd FAB; gazetted in London 27th September 1918. ^[10][11]

Embarking for Australia on ANZAC leave in October 1918, George was demobilised from the AIF in February 1919, reverting to the Commonwealth Military Force. He was then appointed to the Sea Transport Service, returning to Australia on several voyages until mid-1920. ^[3]. He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal for his war service. In July 1920 he temporarily commanded the 8th Field Artillery Brigade before commanding the 22nd Field Artillery Brigade.

George married Fran Dennis in 1923 in Christ Church Church of England (now Anglican Church), South Yarra, Victoria. ^[12] The couple had a son and a daughter, however Fran passed away in 1931.

In 1922-27 he was Commander Royal Australian Artillery, 3rd Division, with the rank of Colonel, and in 1931-35 commanded the 10th Infantry Brigade.

George established G I Stevenson & Co. in Melbourne in 1933 from his previous practice. ^[13]

On 22nd December 1936 in Toorak Presbyterian (now Uniting) Church, Victoria George married widow, Hilda Mabel Kidd nee McKay, daughter of inventor, Hugh Victor McKay CBE. ^[14]

He passed away, aged 76 years, on 11th July 1958 in East Melbourne, Victoria; ^[15] survived by Hilda and the children of his first marriage. His son, Major General John Stevenson AO CBE, served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Sources

1. ↑ Scotland'sPeople Birth Index #646/3 320 1882; registered at Partick
2. ↑ Australian War Memorial nominal roll: 2227 George Stevenson; accessed 19 Jun 2018
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Australian War Memorial nominal roll: Lieutenant Colonel George Stevenson; accessed 19 Jun 2018
4. ↑ Australian War Memorial embarkation roll: Captain George Ingram Stevenson; accessed 19 Jun 2018
5. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George; accessed 19 Jun 2018
6. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Mention in Despatches; accessed 19 Jun 2018
7. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Mention in Despatches; accessed 19 Jun 2018
8. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Mention in Despatches; accessed 19 Jun 2018
9. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Mention in Despatches; accessed 19 Jun 2018
10. ↑ Australian Honours: Distinguished Service Order; accessed 9 Mar 2022
11. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Distinguished Service Order; accessed 19 Jun 2018
12. ↑ Victoria Marriage Index #4035/1923
13. ↑ GI Stevenson & Co website; accessed 9 Mar 2022
14. ↑ Victoria Marriage Index #14770/1936
15. ↑ Victoria Death Index #9184/1958

See also

• Howard, E J H. 'Stevenson, George Ingram (1882–1958)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, published first in hardcopy 1990; accessed online 11 May 2019.