HORSFALL, Geoffrey Garnett

About Geoffrey Horsfall

Geoffrey Garnett Horsfall was born in 1884, the eldest son of Alfred & Mary Horsfall of Clitheroe, Lancashire . He attended Tonbridge School in Kent from 1896-1901, and after leaving school he went to Singapore where he was involved in exports. He met and married Mary Frances Lloyd in 1910 and became a partner in a firm of brokers while in Singapore, but returned home to Clitheroe with his family in 1913.

Broome Connection

Geoffrey was pearling in Broome when World War I broke out. He was also an active member of the Broome Rifle Club.

War Service

Geoffrey applied for a commission in the 10th Light Horse, but there was a delay and he was eager to fight so he joined the 10th Light Horse as a trooper in October 1914. He was quickly promoted to Sergeant in November that same year. His unit was shipped out to Egypt in March 1915. Despite becoming very ill with pneumonia, Horsfall insisted on joining his unit when they were sent to the Gallipoli Peninsula in August. The unit left their horses behind and joined the fight as infantry, where they were continuously in action around Walker’s Ridge. Horsfall was involved in a battle to take a trench and hold it, and on the 29th August he was shot through the forehead and died instantly.

Enlistment Details

Date of Enlistment: 19/10/1914
Place of Enlistment: Guildford, W.A.
Occupation: Pearler
Age at Enlistment: 30
Service Number: 217
Unit: 10th Light Horse, B Squadron
Rank: Sergeant
Fate: Killed in Action
Place of Death: Ottoman Empire: Turkey, Marmara, Gallipoli Peninsula
Date of Death: 29/08/1915
Cemetery or Memorial Details: Not recorded

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