Distinguished Service Order and bar: Brigadier G F Wootten, 11 Infantry Brigade and 18 Infantry Brigade

Distinguished Service Order with Bar (Geo V & VI). Unnamed as issued.

George Frederick Wootten was born on 1 May 1893 in Marrickville Sydney. Entering the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1911 he was part of the first graduating class in August 1914, embarking just two months later for overseas service as a lieutenant with 1 Infantry Battalion. After a period in Egypt Wootten landed on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and became the adjutant to his battalion the following day. Rising through the ranks, Wootten was promoted captain in May and temporary major in December.

After the withdrawal from Gallipoli Wootten, now serving with 3 Battalion, returned to Egypt and was promoted major. Embarking for the Western Front, Wootten arrived in Marseilles on 13 June 1916 but was appointed general staff officer Grade 3 with the 3rd Division and proceeded to the 3rd Australian Division Headquarters in England. Transferring to the 11th Infantry Brigade as the brigade major in November Wootten arrived in France later that month. For the remainder of the war Wootten served as a staff officer including as a general staff officer Grade 2 at Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig’s Headquarters. His AIF appointment was terminated in March 1919 on joining the Staff College at Camberley. He returned to Australia in 1920.

For his First World War service Wootten was mentioned in despatches four times and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in June 1917 for his staff work. The citation for the DSO reads:

‘This Officer has served continuously throughout the whole period of the campaign in Gallipoli and later in France, with 3rd Battalion, A.I.F. He was mentioned in Sir Ian Hamilton’s despatches in November, 1915, for meritorious service from the landing in Gallipoli and for operations up to that period. He was with his Battalion during the evacuation. Later he was appointed Staff Captain to the 6th Brigade, doing consistent good work in that capacity both in Egypt and in France. On the arrival of this Division in England he was appointed G.S.O.3, and rendered valuable service in the organisation and training of the Division. During November, 1916, this Officer was appointed Brigade Major of this Brigade. The service he rendered during the final training was particularly deserving of honourable mention. Since the arrival of the Division in France his consistently thorough and energetic work has materially helped towards the efficiency of the Brigade. He has in his capacity as Brigade Major done exceptionally good work in organisation of all minor enterprises the Brigade has undertaken. Furthermore, his constant personal supervision has done much towards the improvement of the defences of this Brigade Sector.’

During the inter-war years Wootten managed a clothing factory and trained and practised as a solicitor. In 1937 he became commander of the 21st Light Horse Regiment, Citizen Military Forces before being seconded to the AIF as commander of the 2/2nd Battalion. Embarking for the Middle East, Wootten was promoted temporary brigadier in December 1940 and given the command of the AIF Reinforcement Depot, Palestine. In February 1941 he was appointed commander of the 18th Infantry Brigade and the unit went into action at Tobruk. In recognition of his leadership during this campaign Wootten was awarded a bar to his Distinguished Service Order. The citation for the bar reads:

‘Since its arrival in TOBRUCH on 7 Apr. 41 the 18 Aust. Inf. Bde. has proved itself a highly efficient fighting force. In a counterattack against the Germans at MEDAUUAR on 3 May 41 the Brigade fought with great gallantry and effect and in subsequent operations in that area drove the enemy further back. It has carried out a long series if patrolling and raiding and gained many successes. The achievements of the Bde. Can be attributed largely to the capable leadership of Brig. Wootten. He is one who gets the fullest co-operation and effort from all who serve under him.’

Returning to Australia in March 1942, Wootten embarked for New Guinea in August. The 18th Brigade took part in the Battle of Milne Bay and also saw fighting at Buna, Gona and Sanananda. The latter was captured alongside United States Forces. For his exceptional command at Milne Bay Wootten was awarded a Companion of the Order of the British Empire and a United States Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership and heroism during the Papuan campaign.

On his return to Australia Wootten was appointed commander of the 9th Australian Division with the rank of temporary major general. The division arrived in New Guinea in July-August 1943 and before the end of the year had successfully captured Lae, Finschhafen and Sattelberg. For his skilful leadership in these campaigns Wootten was awarded the Commander of the Order of the Bath.

After a period of training in Australia Wootten and the 9th Division again embarked for overseas service for their final involvement of the war. As part of the Borneo campaign the division was involved in the Battle of Tarakan and the amphibious landings at Brunei and Labuan.

Returning to Sydney on 22 September Wootten transferred to the Reserve of Officers List on 14 October as a major general. He became chairman of the Repatriation Commission in Melbourne, a position he held until 1958, the same year Wootten was elevated to a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. George Wootten died at the Repatriation General Hospital, Concord on 31 March 1970 and was buried with full military honours.