George Gnezdiloff, 102 year old Proserpine WW2 veteran passes away

He flew bombing missions in England, vaccinated Dame Quentin Bryce for polio, and was a lifelong dancer who would ‘really hit the floor’ with his beloved wife. Read the touching tributes to a life well lived.

George and Mary Gnezdiloff were married in 1947 after their return from Europe and would go on to have five children.

George Gnezdiloff was a lifelong dancer, WWII fighter pilot and Bren machine gunner, who lived through one of Queensland’s most famous mutinies without firing a single shot.
The Proserpine legend — born in Russia, and with connections to Townsville, Cairns, and all of North Queensland — sadly passed away on Thursday, February 8, aged 102, after making an immense impression on the veterans who knew him best.

This is his life, as told by the loved ones and friends left behind.

Service to an adopted country

When George was just one year old, his parents uprooted themselves from their life in Khabarovsk, in Russia’s far east Siberia region, and brought their family to Australia, arriving in Brisbane in December 1922.

From Brisbane they would head north to Tully, near Townsville, where George would attend primary school, then find work at the sugar mill before WWII broke out.

At the time blue trains, operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) travelled through rural Queensland, recruiting young men.

The recruits would file their paperwork in one carriage, move to another for their medical examination and interview, then wait for approval.

George presented himself to one such train in 1941, but before his application could be approved, he was conscripted to the infantry.

“It probably saved my life,” George would later tell.

During the 12 months he was with the army, members of the RAAF were deployed to Papua New Guinea to fight in the gruelling Kokoda campaign against the Japanese.

As an army man, George worked as a driver and a Bren gunner, remaining in Australia.

The closest he got to battle was during the Townsville mutiny when African-American soldiers mutinied against their commander.

George was one of the Australian soldiers placed under the command of American military place with orders to fire on the mutinying soldiers if they crossed their roadblocks.

The mutiny ended and George was able to return to base without firing a single shot.

After 11 months of service, he was finally offered the opportunity to join the RAAF in 1942.

George Gnezdiloff, 102 year old Proserpine WW2 veteran passed away on February 8, 2024.

Master of the Air

In the Air Force, George was selected to join the Empire Training Scheme in Canada, a shared training program to prepare airmen for immediate deployment to the war in Europe.

From 1943 to 1944, he toured Canada, training to become a wireless operator and a gunner.

Other operators claimed they could always tell it was him from the rhythmic way he tapped his morse code.

In 1945 George was deployed to England where he was put under the authority of the United Kingdom's bomber command and flew in Lancaster and Wellington bombers.

The only Australian on his bomber crew, George flew sorties over Holland defending his crew from interceptor fighters as one of their gunners.

While in England, George was stationed at the Airbase in Millom, where he met his future wife Mary.

He and a friend attended a local dance when like a scene out of an old movie, he turned to his mate and declared, “I’m going to marry that woman.”

According to Robert Gnezdiloff, George’s son, his father chose the wrong week in May, 1944 to take leave.
While he was away, Germany surrendered, and when he returned he found his base empty save for one other serviceman, the rest had all been immediately discharged.

George arrived back in Brisbane in 1946 where he was discharged from the army.

Mary followed him all the way back to Australia, and they tied the knot in 1947.

George Gnezdiloff became a gold member of the RSL, having a room named after him at the sub-branch in Mareeba before it closed.

The family man

After he returned home, by way of Freetown and Cape Town, George immediately opted to help returning through the RSL.

He assisted other returning veterans acclimatise to post-war life, and began working with Legacy, helping the families of those who hadn’t returned.

Mary had a tough time adjusting to Queensland — she was used to the English climate and unfamiliar with Australia’s dangerous wildlife.

“It was a rude awakening,” according to their daughter, Carol.

She had difficulty communicating with her Russian speaking parents-in-law and George would often chide them, saying “we’re Australian, speak English.”

The two would adjust to their new lives.

Beloved as a grandfather, George would often take his grandchildren fishing.

 
George started a cadetship in health and building inspection and became the inspector for Aramac, Barcaldine and Ilfracombe.

Before the 40s would end, George was part of the campaign to inoculate the three shires children against smallpox and polio and is claimed to have inoculated a 10 year old Dame Quentin Bryce.

“She was from the area and Dad knew her dad,” his son Robert said.

What took you so long?

A lifelong dancer, George and Mary dazzled all they met with their dance moves and organised dances once a month when they lived in Mareeba.

“He and mum used to really hit the floor,” said Carol.

In 1972 they moved to Proserpine and the Whitsundays region for good.

Proserpine RSL sub-branch president Jason Raiteri said, “He was a friend to all veterans to all ages”.

Robert recalled how after the Vietnam War, his father would speak with all the veterans, particularly the young men.

George’s wife Mary, also a great dancer, passed away in 2015.

“Dad always looked to see what could improve the community,” he said.

Mary passed away in 2015, while George continued for another nine years.

Carol believes that when George reunites with Mary she’ll ask him “what took you so long?”

George Gnezdiloff, gunner, wireless operator, inspector, volunteer, member of the Rotary club, supporter of the RSL, life member of the Lions Club of Mareeba, loving husband, father, grandfather and above all else a “superb” dancer, passed away on February 8, 2024 at 102 years of age.

He was a member of the Rotary club, life member of the Lions club of Mareeba and a staunch supporter of the RSL.