ANZAC Centenary 2014-2018: Sharing Victoria's Stories

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CAPTAIN GEORGE FAY

Longwood

Hororata, World War I

Nicolette Caggiati-Shortell shares the story of her great grandfather, Captain George Fay.

I am the Great granddaughter of Captain George Fay, his daughter Laura Fay being my Grandmother. My Grandmother was only eight years old when her father was killed in battle and she mourned her entire life for him. My Great Grandmother, Elizabeth, related his stories to her children and grandchildren.

Captain George Fay The local rifle range was situated on their property, where her husband and others trained. When World War I started, George went to Melbourne to train the young men signing up. Perhaps it was this, sending 16 and 17 year-olds off to war with little experience which eventually saw him make the difficult decision to leave with his horse for Egypt to join the 8th Australian Light Horse.

Navigating by the stars he led his men through the inhospitable deserts of Africa, beneath which he was destined to remain, forever, with other fallen sons and fathers. I can’t help shed a tear as I write about this amazing man whom I’ve never met but love so much.

 


 

I can’t help shed a tear as I write about this amazing man whom I’ve never met but love so much.

Captain George Fay was born in Longwood on the 14th June 1877 and  he was first commissioned into the 8th Australian Light Horse Regiment of the Commonwealth Military Forces on 17 March 1908. With the re-organization of the CMF, he transferred to the 16th (Indi) Light Horse on 1 June 1915 as a Lieutenant in A squadron. Troops of A squadron were based at Myrtleford, Bright and Moyhu. He volunteered for service in the AIF and was allotted to command the 9th Reinforcements of the 8th Light Horse Regiment AIF, which left to join the regiment already at Gallipoli on board HMAT Hororata on 27 September 1915.

On his enlistment he gave his address as Euroa, his occupation as a farmer and his next of kin as his wife Mrs EJ Fay. Promoted captain in the regiment on 1 February 1917, he was killed in action at El Burj on 1 of December 1917. He is mentioned twice (p325; p508 Volume VII) in the official history of Australia in the Great War.