Geoffrey Leighton Gardiner
Geoffrey Leighton Gardiner was born in 1893 at Brighton, Victoria, the son of James Gardiner. He later moved to Western Australia, where his family resided in Perth and Applecross. Geoff attended the School as a Boarder from 1904-1912. Geoff was an accomplished all-round student and sportsman. He was appointed a Prefect in 1910 and School Captain in 1911. He was a member of the 1st XI Cricket and 1st IV Rowing teams for two years, and the 1st XVIII Football, Athletics, and Swimming teams for three years. He served as Sports Captain for Football in 1911 and Cricket Captain in 1912. In recognition of his achievements, he was awarded full colours in cricket, football, rowing, athletics, and swimming.
At the outbreak of World War 1, Geoff enlisted on the on 1 September 1915 aged 22 in the Australian Imperial Force. He was posted as a Trooper (Private) to the 10th Light Horse Regiment, 3rd Light Horse Brigade, as part of the 4th Reinforcements.
On 19th April 1915 he sailed from Fremantle on the Argyllshire, bound for Egypt. Upon disembarking, he was posted to ‘B’ Squadron and after a brief period of training, proceeded with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from Alexandria to Gallipoli. He joined his regiment on the peninsula on 4 June 1915.
The 10th Light Horse Regiment saw action in some of the most difficult fighting of the Gallipoli campaign, including the Charge of the Nek and operations at Hill 60 during the August offensive. In September 1915, Gardiner fell ill with severe diarrhoea and was evacuated from the front lines by the 5th Field Ambulance. He was subsequently evacuated from the Dardanelles to Mudros aboard the hospital transport Caledonia on 24 December 1915, before being transferred to Alexandria three days later.
Following his recovery, Geoff was stationed at Heliopolis and later transferred to Serapeum in February 1916. The 10th Light Horse went on to serve in the defence of the Suez Canal and railway lines around Zagazig, before taking part in the Sinai and Palestine campaigns. In 1917, the regiment operated as part of the Desert Column in Palestine. During this period, Geoff was hospitalised at Marakeb on 13 July 1917, suffering from debility, and was later sent to a Rest Camp on 1 August 1917.
He was temporarily detached to the 8th Mobile Veterinary Section in Egypt on 14 August 1917, before rejoining the 10th Light Horse. Geoff was promoted to Lance Corporal on 19 July 1918. However, his health continued to decline, and he was reported sick again on 14 February 1919. He was subsequently returned to Australia as an invalid.
Geoff embarked from Kantara aboard the transport Euripides on 15 March 1919 and disembarked at Fremantle on 19 April 1919. He was discharged from service on 26 August 1919 with the rank of Lance Corporal.
For his service, Geoff was awarded the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.
Geoffrey Leighton Gardiner’s story reflects the service and sacrifice of many Guildford Grammar School Old Boys who served during the First World War.
The following are excerpts from letters Geoff wrote during his service.
Lemnos, November 13 1915, “I am here at Lemnos at last, where a third of the regiment has come for a month’s holiday. It is by no means a genuine holiday, as we are allowed very little liberty. However, it is great to be away from the firing line, as six months constantly under fire plays with one’s nerves. Any extra noise or sudden bang makes me want to duck my head down.”
Egypt, December 29 1915, “Have received six parcels and twenty-odd letters—the first since the beginning of October, so you can imagine how pleased I was to get them. I hoped to have a look round Egypt, but was sent to work straight away. Have seen such a number of fellows I know here—Reg. King, Bostock, Witham, and Reg. Cockshott, and many others. I have been enquiring for Sid Evans, but cannot get him. Many I know have been sent back to Australia to regain their nerves and health, and I, too, hope to come back in a couple of years time! Bostock and I have challenged anyone to a boat race on the Nile—first prize an “Iron Cross,” second a purse of gold!”
Lest we forget.