Not for generations has there been a ‘soldier’s soldier’ of such calibre in the Australian Army nor a man who inspired so many of the best and brightest sons and daughters of Anzacs. Yesterday, Brigadier ‘Warrie’ George Lyon Mansford AM passed away at the age of 91. He didn’t die, for he will live on in many of our hearts forever.

George Mansford, AM, with Sergeant Kim, ⁦⁦⁦⁦@51FNQR⁩. George enlisted in the ⁦⁦@AustralianArmy⁩ as an infantry soldier in 1951. Retired as a brigadier in 1990. Service included Korea, Malayan Emergency, Thai Border, Vietnam, New Guinea and Singapore.? pic.twitter.com/ryNSr6fty0

— Chris Field (@ChrisFieldAUS) August 1, 2024

Brigadier Mansford served in Korea, Malaya, and Vietnam. He was promoted from the ranks in 1964 and became a Brigadier before retiring in 1990 following four decades of military service. He remained the Honorary Colonel of the 51st Battalion, The Far North Queensland Regiment and was named Citizen of the Year in Cairns in 1996.

I met ‘Warrie George’ in my first year of military service. He was the commander of the 11th Brigade based in Townsville. I was part of the 51st Battalion, the Far North Queensland Regiment (51FNQR), one of the Regional Force Surveillance Units established by Warrie George. I was tasked with running him through his TOETs and IAs (tests of elementary training and immediate action drills) on the self-loading rifle (SLR) before he could participate in a range shoot. It was obviously a bureaucratic requirement because the next minute Warrie George and the RSM were letting loose at (and hitting) targets 100m away while shooting from the hip. They didn’t call him ‘Warrie’ for nothing!

I had been accepted into Duntroon as a Staff Cadet. But the January 1992 intake was postponed to July, so I had to find work for six months. I remember acting as Brigadier Mansford’s driver when he was the Honorary Colonel of 51FNQR. I drove him back to his house on the southern side of Trinity Inlet near Cairns. He sat in the passenger seat (of course) and asked me about my time with 51FNQR and my appointment as a Staff Cadet.

On arrival at his home, I was invited inside for a glass of port. Warrie George gave me a copy of his pam (military pamphlet) entitled ‘Junior Leadership on the Battlefield’. He wished me well but left me feeling inspired. Not just by his wisdom and kind words, but also by his inspiration. To him the difference between an officer and a soldier was the extent of responsibility. It had nothing to do with birthright or class.

Like an idiot, I lent the pam to my patrol second-in-command, never to be seen again.

Years later, and after I left the Army, and after teaching leadership at university for many years, I craved Brigadier Mansford’s book. I was fortunate enough to have become a colleague of former Chief of Army, Lieutenant General (Retired) and now Professor Peter Leahy while I was at the University of Canberra. Peter had promoted me to Captain when I was working at Army Headquarters in Canberra in 2000. I still have the ‘Instrument of Promotion’ on the wall beside me as I write. It was signed by Sir Peter Cosgrove, but Peter Leahy was Chief of the General Staff at the time.

As luck would have it, one of the most influential officers on my early career at the 1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, was Greg Bilton, who later achieved the rank of Lieutenant General. Greg had been our adjutant when I was a young subaltern. When I left the regiment, I made it plain that Greg was someone I would follow into battle. Years later, he must have seen my name on the promotions list and organised Peter Leahy to award my promotion. It was one of those moments that still fills me with awe.

Later, Greg served as the Deputy Commanding General – Operations with the United States Army Pacific before becoming Chief of Joint Operations. It is humbling when I stop and think of the calibre of these people and that I had the privilege of learning from and being inspired by them.

At the university, I asked Peter if he knew George Mansford. He said he did and passed on his contact details. Shortly afterwards, Brigadier Mansford sent me a few copies of the most recent version of ‘Junior Leadership on the Battlefield’ and a signed copy of his book of poetry. Ever gracious, his words continue to inspire.

Something happened in the late 1990s and early 2000s that left many of my generation with a sour taste in our mouths about our lives post-Army. But once one reaches a certain age one starts to acknowledge the privileges and the responsibilities of wearing our country’s uniform.

I rejoined the RSL a few years ago and dusted off my Queensland badge dated 1999 and became the Gunning Chapter representative of the Yass Sub-branch of RSL NSW. In our village of about 1,000 people, it is not uncommon to have over 350 people attend our Anzac Day service. It’s interesting that many of us are Gen Xers who only returned to the fold in the last few years. I ended up rejoining all my unit associations.

Through the 51FNQR Association, I learnt that Warrie George was down but not out back in 2024. Labor Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling, a passionate advocate for veterans (and although we are on different sides of the political spectrum, he is a classmate of mine from Duntroon), said of Warrie George in Parliament:

‘…some names are not yet embossed on bronze plaques; some heroes are still with us.

One of those outstanding Australians is Brigadier “Warrie” George Lyon Mansford AM (Rtd) – a living legend to the Army, to the Australian Defence Force and to the veteran community.’

I couldn’t agree more.

So it was sad to receive an email from the 51FNQR Association advising of Brigadier Mansford’s passing last Thursday. For me, he embodied the spirit of my great-grandfather, a veteran of both world wars, whom I had never met. Tough as nails, fair dinkum, and yet a soldier’s soldier who was never out of touch.

Warrie George was well-loved by soldiers and officers alike. If you search his name on social media, you will find endless words of respect and stories that will make you laugh. I will mention a couple for posterity.

Warrie George founded the Battle School at Tully in Far North Queensland. The picture at the top of the article shows the sign he had placed back then at the beginning of the obstacle course. Note the crocodile warning sign to the right of the oath reminder.

I can’t remember how many times we went through it that day, but my lunch was left on the course somewhere several times. It was my first ever exercise with 51FNQR. While my mind is still willing, there is no way my body could keep that oath today.

While commandant of what is now known as Jungle Training Wing in Tully, Warrie George was known to dress up as a mess steward. He would serve young officers and staff cadets in the officers’ mess, only to end up taking a scoop of their ice cream and eating it right in front of their faces. You can imagine the indignation of the young officers only to discover they were berating their Commandant!

Another story tells of a young soldier who said, ‘Bugger this!’ and threw the towel in during jungle training at Tully. If you’ve ever been to that Battle School in Tully, you’d sympathise with that young digger.

In the charge room, the young digger with the defiant face was ready to accept the charge and move on. Apparently, Warrie George tore up the charge sheet and said,

‘Private Bloggs, I’m not going to ruin your career by charging you. Instead, you will stay here with me. You’re going to do the course again, so you’re with me for another five weeks.’

Another soldier mentioned how he’d dropped a piece of rubbish on a forced march back to barracks. He looked back and saw Warrie George, hoping he hadn’t noticed the rubbish. Upon arrival, Brigadier Mansford told the young digger that he’d dropped some rubbish several miles back and he’d have to go back and get it. Rubbish discipline in the jungle was a key part of the training.

I can’t stress to you how much my memories of Tully Battle School are like waking from a nightmare. I realise they’re only memories, but my indigestion is real. It took our recon patrol something like 14 hours to go 800 metres through the ‘J’. Our scout snipped a vine and had stinging nettle fall over his entire body, including the wrong parts of his torn trousers.

My patrol commander, Franko, got us through and shielded us from the berating he received from the boss for our slow progress. I worked with Franko in ‘civvie street’ as a floor sander. Like all good leaders, he continues to support my efforts even though we both have no hair these days. Military service creates bonds that are never really severed. I think that was part of Warrie George’s plan when he established the Tully Battle School.

I don’t even want to imagine how the generations since mine would respond to such conditions. We just got on with the job. But the memories of service are glorious and the stories of Warrie George draw a smirk from most of my generation of soldiers and earlier.

It’s hard to explain the feeling.

Samuel Johnson expressed it best:

‘Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea.’

I can’t tell you how relieved I am to have had the opportunity to serve as a soldier. As one of four generations who served with the Australian Army, it is in my blood and was part of my upbringing. While my paternal grandfather was a bit put out when I became an artillery officer (we’re bloody infantry sergeants!), I was pleased to learn that my maternal great-grandfather was a gunner.

I look back on that time fondly and like many others, I am a better man for having known George Mansford.

I called Peter Leahy today to ask for a comment about Brigadier Mansford. Without hesitating, Peter said:

‘I loved his poetry. I read it with glee. I enjoyed corresponding with him. His poetry, like the man, was wise and direct.’

I am a better man for having known Brigadier George Mansford, Lieutenant General Peter Leahy, and Lieutenant General Greg Bilton. It’s regrettable that Australians who have not served may not know the depth of wisdom of many of our most revered veterans.

I’ve recently appointed as the Editor of the Gallipoli Memorial Club’s Gallipoli Gazette. In that role, I will do my best to bring to life some of the stories of the many inspiring and brave souls who served our nation but are not well known outside of the fold.

I offer my sincerest condolences to family and friends of the late Brigadier (Rtd) George Lyon Mansford AM. He is one of the most inspirational people I ever met.

To my grieving brothers and sisters in arms of the 51st Battalion, may I say that I continue to live by our motto, Ducit Amor Patriae (Love of country leads me).

God bless you, Sir. May you rest in peace.

Dr Michael de Percy @FlaneurPolitiq is the Spectator Australia’s Canberra Press Gallery Correspondent. If you would like to support his writing, or read more of Michael, please visit his website.