George Dinnie

George Dinnie (18 July 1875 – 13 June 1939) 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".

George Dinnie
BornAyr, Ayrshire, Scotland,
United Kingdom
FamilyDonald Dinnie

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.[1]

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.[2]

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 (Thomas William Stokes) KIA, 2. Frank Blythe (Francis Albert Blythe - DOW), Drummond James Blythe - DOW, 3. Dick Clarke - Blinded, 4. Jack Salter (John Salter) - W(ounded), 5. Arthur Milford (Arthur Horace Lionel Milford) - W, 6. Tom Shaw (Hugh Thomas Shaw), 7. George Dinnie, 8. ?, 9. Harry Buswell (Henry George Buswell) - KIA, 10. Billie Henson (William Harold Henson) - W, 11. Snowy Griffen (Leonard Griffen) 12. Joe McSweeny (Joseph McSweeney) - W, 13. "Robbie" Robertson (Evander Shand Robertson), 14. Bert Morgan (Herbert Henry Morgan) - KIA, 15. Roy Earle (Roy Earl) - W, 16. ?, 17. "Pussie" Stevens (Richard William Stevens), 18. Harry Harlow (Wallace Harlow?) - W, 19. "Vic" Cargeeg (Albert Victor Cargeeg) - KIA, 20. Les Ratke (Leslie Arthur Ratke) - W, 21. Carl Forsberg (Carl Alfred Forsberg) - W, 22. Jim Bailey (James Bailey) - W, 23. "Curley"? - KIA, 24. J. North (Julian North) - W, 25. "Sandy" Brodie (Alexander Charles Brodie) - W, 26. G. Swanson (Frederick Swanson?), 27. "Jimmie" Lowe (James Lowe) - KIA, 28. Harry Belcher (Harry Charles Belcher) - KIA.[3]

New enlistments at Bunbury railway station, 18 August 1914, Bunbury volunteers selected for the 11th Battalion of the Expeditionary Force for the landing at Gallipoli on 24 April 1915. Photograph provides names and details of service in the Gallipoli campaign.

Championships and accomplishments
  • Professional wrestling
    • Australian Catch-as-Catch-Can Championship (1 time)[4]
    • Western Australian Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[5]
  • Perth Promoting Company
    • South-West Championship (1 time)[6]

References
  1. Editor. (15 June 1939). George Dinnie. Family Notices. Deaths. The West Australian. Perth, Western Australia. 55(16,521): 1.
  2. Editor. (16 April 1999). George Dinnie. Dinnie, George; SERN 987; POB Ayr Scotland; POE Helena Vale WA; NOK McKenna, Janet. 1914-1920. Series: B2455. National Archives of Australia.
  3. Editor. (18 August 1914). To Arms - The South West and Bunbury Response. Bunbury Herald. Bunbury, Western Australia.
  4. http://prowrestlinghistoricalsociety.com/au-wa-1900-1909.html
  5. http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2937
  6. http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2991
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