George Victor Betts (SN 1618) born at Ballarat, was an 18 year old iron moulder when he enlisted in Melbourne on March 16th 1916. He left Australia aboard the Ascanius on May 27th and reached France in September to serve with the 7th Infantry Battalion. While he avoided battle wounds, he had two extended periods in Bulford Hospital and several discipline breaches including multiple absent without leave charges and one charge of ‘losing government property, overcoat’. When the war ended, he returned to Australia aboard the Plassy, disembarked on October 25th 1919 and was discharged on December 2nd.
He also enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War 2.