George Hector Jolly was born in Sebastapol , VIC and was a Malster by trade when he enlisted in the 31st Battalion, C Company on 14 July 1915 at the age of 20. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on 9 November 1915. He sailed first to Alexandria then in June 1916 he joined the 31st Battalion in France. On July 21st during the Battle of Fromelles, he was wounded in action. He sustained a gunshot wound to his right knee and was evacuated to hospital, first in France, and then to the Graylingwell War Hospital in England. He spent time convalescing in England but it was determined he was unlikely to regain fitness for active service. He returned to Australia on the Karoola and reached Melbourne on April 10th 1917.

He had two brothers who also served: Pte Wesley Clarence Jolly, 31st Bn (Tree No 851), killed in action, 21 July 1916 and Pte Albert Thomas Jolly, 31st Bn (Tree No 3398), returned to Australia 20 April 1919
Tree No. 1182