George Dinnie


George Dinnie was a sportsman, strongman, wrestler and champion dog breeder. For a while, he was part of the traveling show promoted by Henry Jasper Redfern in Sheffield, England and often billed as the "strongest man on earth".

Life and times

In 1875, Dinnie was born at Ayr, South Ayreshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. He was the son of Donald Dinnie, noted champion of the Highland Games. In 1939, he died at Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.

Gallipoli

In 1914, Dinnie at the age of 37, enlisted in the Army at the outbreak of World War I at Midland, Western Australia, Australia. He recorded his next of kin as Mrs. Janet McKenna of Sorn, Ayreshire, Scotland. His occupation was listed as horseshoer. He noted a prior apprenticeship at Wilmot, Sorn in Ayreshire for a period of 4 and ½ years.
On 18 August 1914, the local newspaper, the Bunbury Herald announced the names of the first 60 Bunbury volunteers selected for the 11th Battalion of the Expeditionary Force for the landing at Gallipoli on 24 April 1915. The battle at Gallipoli was from 25 April 1915 to 9 January 1916. George Dinnie was part of the first group from Bunbury. The following is a list of people in the photograph, KIA = Killed In Action, W = Wounded, ? = unknown or uncertain, for names. Names is parenthesis indicate full name, when known from sources. 1. Tom Stokes KIA, 2. Frank Blythe, Drummond James Blythe - DOW, 3. Dick Clarke - Blinded, 4. Jack Salter - W, 5. Arthur Milford - W, 6. Tom Shaw, 7. George Dinnie, 8. ?, 9. Harry Buswell - KIA, 10. Billie Henson - W, 11. Snowy Griffen 12. Joe McSweeny - W, 13. "Robbie" Robertson, 14. Bert Morgan - KIA, 15. Roy Earle - W, 16. ?, 17. "Pussie" Stevens, 18. Harry Harlow - W, 19. "Vic" Cargeeg - KIA, 20. Les Ratke - W, 21. Carl Forsberg - W, 22. Jim Bailey - W, 23. "Curley"? - KIA, 24. J. North - W, 25. "Sandy" Brodie - W, 26. G. Swanson, 27. "Jimmie" Lowe - KIA, 28. Harry Belcher - KIA.

Championships and accomplishments