Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George Thoms Rothney was born in Adelaide South Australia, on 10th November, 1915, the only child of immigrants from Aberdeen Scotland, John and Sophie (nee Taylor) Rothney. The family resided at 9 Victor Street, Maylands. George lived at the family home until he married.

George attended Wellington Road Primary School, now known as Trinity Gardens Primary School, and completed his secondary education at Norwood Technical School. As a school leaver he gained employment with Good Durrance and Murray as a salesman.

He married Gwenneth Alma McShane, a market gardener's daughter, from McShane Street, Campbelltown, at the Campbelltown Methodist (now Uniting) Church. Their only child Georgene was born on 28th January, 1942.

George was 25 years of age when he enlisted for war service on 18th November, 1940, with the Royal Australian Navy. He was 30 years of age when he was discharged on 11th December, 1945, at the end of World War 11. His Record of Service Card is available.

After graduating as an Able Seaman from H.M.A.S. Cerberus, he was transferred to the heavy cruiser, H.M.A.S. Canberra, sunk in the Battle of Savo, 09/08/1942, while escorting American ships and landings at Guadacanal. George then transferred as a RANR to serve on Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships for the remainder of the war.

George's first post war marital home was at 5 Morris Street, Evandale. He sold this home and built a new house in 1960 at 18 Lochiel Avenue, Campbelltown.

George's lifetime post war employment was spent with the Metropolitan Tramway Trust, (M.T.T.) Hackney Depot. First employed as a tram conductor, then progressing to become a tram driver. When Adelaide's metropolitan tram routes were replaced by buses, he became a Hackney Depot Metropolitan bus operator.

George's employment was terminated in his mid-fifties due to chronic emphysema. He then retired from the workforce. George died at home from tracheal cancer, aged 72 years, 26th May, 1988.

The Royal Australian Navy committed his sshes to the sea. The Royal Australian Airforce were also represented when George's ashes were committed to the sea, given his war service with the D.E.M.S.