George Duffin

An Australian, Queensland and Magpies pioneer of the sport, George Duffin and his family lived on Thomas Street in Ashfield. Prior to that they lived in Harringon Street in Stanmore, according to westsarchives.com.au.

Duffin joined the Australian Army in World War I and found himself at Gallipoli

"If the futility of the entire Gallipoli campaign was encapsulated by one battle it was the pointless attempt to capture Hill 60 for the Allies on August 21 and 22 in 1915. Claiming the territory was seen as a sign of progress but with troop numbers diminishing and ammunition in short supply, the chances of success were low.

"George Duffin, Western Suburbs’ first fullback in 1908 and later a Queensland representative and Australian Test player had been ashore at Gallipoli only three days when he was thrown into the conflict with his comrades from the 18th Battalion.

"They had arrived to reinforce troops who had been stuck on the peninsula since April 25 and as they took their positions, CEW Bean in his official history, observed: “These troops came to the tired and somewhat haggard garrison of Anzac like a fresh breeze from the Australian bush.”

"Author Les Carlyon described the mayhem that followed in his 2001 book Gallipoli:

'“Their officers were called to a conference and told they were to attack with bombs and bayonets only. But they had no bombs, an officer interjected. Well, they’d just have to do their best without them.”

"Of the attacking force of 750 men, 11 officers and 372 men became casualties of whom half were killed. Duffin’s body was never recovered but a Court of Enquiry in 1917 found that he had been killed on August 22. With no marked grave, Duffin’s name is included on the memorial to missing Australian and New Zealand soldiers at Lone Pine" - David Middleton - The Daily Telegraph, 2015.