Veteran Story: George Mitchell (1890-1958) was born in Bundaberg to William Mitchell (1869-1929) and Emma Deshong (1873-1914). He was working as a stockman on Alton Downs Station, near Rockhampton when he volunteered in December 1917. Mitchell was assigned to the 15th Reinforcements for the 31st Infantry Battalion and trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera before embarking for England in March 1918. It wasn’t until 1 September 1918 that he finally joined his battalion in the front lines of Boulogne Wood Alley, during the push for Mont St Quentin. Mitchell remained with the battalion until the end of hostilities, later being attached to several other units as men were demobilised and sent home. In March 1919 Mitchell volunteered to work with the War Graves Registration Detachment, a service considered by some as a "Sacred Duty", these men were involved in locating and creating graves for Australians who had fallen; he finally returned home in November 1919. Mitchell returned to Queensland and continued to work on properties in the Rockhampton area. In 1939 George again volunteered to serve for his country during the Second World War with 13th (QLD) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) based in Rockhampton.
