George Samuel Deviney papers

Small notebook and a manilla envelope endorsed "This book must have remained dry in his pack". 

The diary is a record of George Deviney's journey from Brisbane to England and sightseeing in London while on leave.  The notebook also contains some pressed Australian flowers and a small piece of ribbon stamped with a picture of a wattle branch and the words "Wattle Day 1917 Maimed Soldiers".

Small diary kept by George Deviney.  The entries recount his training in Brisbane, the journey to Sydney to board the transport ship "Ayrshire", the journey to England, training at Codford Camp in Salisbury, the journey to France, life in the trenches, being wounded in the leg from shrapnel, suffering from the effects of gas and being sick from influenza..

Small diary kept by George Deviney while serving on the frontlines in France during 1918.  The last entry is for 3 April, Deviney was killed in action on 5 April during the Battle of Dernancourt.

Letter from British soldier, J.W. Hunt, to Miss Deviney of Helidon, Queensland, regarding the return of George Deviney's diary which was found on the battlefield where he died. Miss Deviney's address was written in the front of the diary.  The envelope is included.

Large stamped envelope sent by registered post from former British soldier, J.W. Hunt of 23 Marshall X Rd, St. Helens, Lancashire, England, to Miss D. Deviney, Gladsdale, Helidon, Queensland.  The envelope contained George Deviney's diaries which were returned to the family.

Letter from former British soldier J.W. Hunt of St. Helens, Lancashire, England, to Miss Dolly Deviney of Helidon, Queensland.  Mr Hunt discusses returning George Deviney's diary to the family and the circumstances surrounding his death.  The envelope is included.

Postcard from former British soldier, J.W. Hunt in England to the Deviney family in Queensland indicating the vicinity in which George Deviney fell and was buried in France.  The postcard has a view of the railway station at Mericourt Ribemont.

Hunt writes: "This is about 2 miles from where he fell and was buried, the cross indicates the direction".

Notes concerning the diaries and correspondence written by George Deviney's niece, Fae Deviney Collins, who was the custodian of the Deviney collection before it was donated to State Library. 

Copy of a photograph of the seven Deviney sisters posing in front of the residence "Gladsdale" at Helidon, Queensland. The photograph was taken to send to their brother, George Deviney. Included are three pages of biographical notes relating to the Deviney family written by Fae Deviney Collins.

Studio photograph of George Deviney taken while he was on leave in London in June 1917. The photograph has been annotated on the rear by the family with several notes including "the boy soldier" and his service particulars: No. 3375 machine gunner, in France, B Coy 13th Infantry Brigade, 9th/52nd

Studio photograph of Owen Joseph Donlen (1891-1918) in uniform. Donlen was George Deviney's best friend and died in Belgium on the 23rd December 1918 after being swept into a canal.

The reverse has been annotated with the following: 
George Deviney's best made. George was a Presbyterian, signed the pledge, & neve swore. He wrote to his seven sisters "My best pal is firstly an R.C. carried his swag, drinks & uses the finest Aust. language & I'd sooner have him alongside me than anyone else in the unit." They were only parted by death.

[Inscription on grave] in Dinant Belgium. He was drowned after being swept into a canal. His mate gave evidence no drinking had occurred - they were crossing a dangerous causeway. He had come right thru the war & should have been home by this (what a government).

The photograph of George Deviney's unit at Codford Camp, Wiltshire inscribed "The 12th Infantry Brigade, Dinkum Squad".  Information on the reverse indicates that George Deviney is not included in this group photograph.

Fold out postcard featuring coloured scenes of Fremantle, Western Australia, sent by George Deviney to Gladys Deviney at Helidon, Queensland.

Three coloured postcards of English flowers contained in an unrelated envelope for Black's Beautiful Post Cards, Surrey, Series No. 39.

Postcard book sent by George Deviney in Durban, South Africa, to his sisters in Helidon, Queensland. He has written descriptions for some of the images. Twelve photographic postcards of Durban, South Africa

Postcard of Rouen Cathedral, France

The postcard features the caption "Gott strafe this barbed wire" and is part of the series "Bystanders" Fragments from France, Series 4. Illustrated by Bruce Bairnsfather. 

The postcard featuring a military cartoon, entitled "The Push - in three chapters, by one who's been pushed" and is part of the series "Bystanders", Fragments from France, Series 4. Illustrated by Bruce Bairnsfather. 

The postcard featuring a military cartoon, is entitled "A.D. Nineteen Fifty" and is part of the series "Bystanders", Fragments from France, Series 4. Illustrated by Bruce Bairnsfather. 

The postcard featuring a military cartoon is entitled "A Maxim Maxim" and is part of the series "Bystanders", Fragments from France, Series 4. Illustrated by Bruce Bairnsfather. 

The postcard featuring a military cartoon entitled "Situation Shortly Vacant" and is part of the series "Bystanders", Fragments from France, Series 4. Illustrated by Bruce Bairnsfather. 

The postcard featuring a military cartoon, entitled "My Dug-Out, a Lay of the Trenches" and is part of the series "Bystanders", Fragments from France, Series 4. Illustrated by Bruce Bairnsfather. 

Birthday card from George Deviney to one of his sisters "The Cook" in Helidon, Queensland.

Note by Fae Collins Deviney regarding the exercise books written by George Deviney and his sister Mary Deviney.  Fae Deviney Collins was the aunt of George Deviney and the custodian of the collection before it was donated to the State Library.

Exercise book of George Deviney while at Helidon State School. It includes illustrations, maps and compositions.

Exercise book of Mary Deviney, sister of George Deviney. It contains essays and compositions.

Woollen Zulu, sent to the Deviney family in Brisbane, Australia, by George Deviney after his troopship, Ayrshire, arrived at Cape Town, South Africa, on 2 March 1917, on the way to the war in Europe.

Memorial card for George Samuel Deviney, including the colours for the 52nd Battalion.

Undated and unsourced newspaper clipping reporting that Private George Deviney has been wounded in France.

Casualty list reporting the death of George Samuel Deviney, previously reported wounded.

Roll of Honour reporting the death of George Samuel Deviney.

Newspaper clipping from the Queensland Times, Ipswich, on the 2nd May 1918, p. 7, reporting the death of George S. Deviney.

Newspaper clipping from the Brisbane Courier, 9 May 1918, p. 8, concerning a memorial service held in Helidon on 8 May for George Deviney.

Unsourced newspaper clipping regarding the memoriam service held in honour of George Samuel Deviney in Helidon, on 8 May 1918.

Typewritten copy of the disbursement of George Samuel Deviney's estate. All of his military pay was shared amongst his seven sisters.