MAJ GEN
George
James
Rankin
DSO VD
Born in Bamawm, Victoria (Australia)
Ancestors 
Son of James Rankin
and Sarah Gallagher
Brother of
Joseph Gallagher Rankin
Husband of
Annie Isabella (Oliver) Rankin
— married
1912 in Victoria, Australia
[children unknown]
Died
at age 70
in Rochester, Victoria, Australia
Profile last modified
| Created 13 Jun 2018
This page has been accessed 511 times.
Biography
Major General George James Rankin DSO & Bar VD was an Australian soldier and politician. He served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
George James Rankin was born on 1st May 1887 at Bamawm, Victoria (Australia). He was the tenth child of Irish farmer James Rankin and Sarah Gallagher.[1]
He married Annie Isabella Oliver at Rochester, Victoria on 7th July 1912.[2]
George Rankin DSO VD is an Anzac who served in World War One.
In 1907, he joined the Militia, and was commissioned in the 9th Light Horse Regiment in 1909. Rankin served in the 4th Light Horse Regiment and reached Gallipoli in May 1915, where he was wounded in July. Rankin was present at the famous charge at Beersheba on 31st October, and in 1918 was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his gallantry. His leadership subsequently earned him a Bar to his DSO. After the conclusion of the war, Rankin was sent to Egypt to help suppress a rebellion, after which he returned to Australia. He returned to the Militia, becoming a Brigadier in 1936 and a Major General in 1937.
In 1937, Rankin successfully contested the seat of Bendigo in the Australian House of Representatives. Rankin became well known as an advocate of returned servicemen and wheat-farmers. When in 1949, an electoral redistribution substantially changed Rankin's seat, he contested the Senate instead and won. He was returned in 1951, but his parliamentary activity steadily decreased.
He passed away on 28th December 1957 at Rochester, Victoria.[3]
Sources
- ↑ Victoria Birth Index #14549/1887
- ↑ Victoria Marriage Index #7655/1912
- ↑ Victoria Death Index #21285/1958
- Saunders, Malcolm. Rankin, George James (1887–1957). Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/rankin-george-james-11486/text20483, published first in hardcopy 2002, accessed online 13 June 2018.
- Wikipedia_George_Rankin; accessed 13 Jun 2018.
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Rejected matches › George A Rankin (1885-1956)
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Categories: 4th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force, World War I | Gallipoli Campaign | Australian Army Generals | Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George | Distinguished Service Order | Victoria, Members of the House of Representatives | Victoria, Senators | Anzacs, World War I