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4 March, 2026
Army leader was ‘a giant’
TRIBUTES have poured in for a former Australian Army leader described as “a giant”.
Retired Brigadier George ‘Warry’ Mansford, formerly of East Trinity, died last week, aged 91.
Cairns RSL Sub Branch president Nathan Shingles said the organisation paid tribute for “a life of extraordinary service (by) George Mansford AM – soldier, leader, mentor and one of the Australian Army’s most authentic and formidable commanders”.
“The Australian Army has lost a giant. George passed away this morning (Thursday last week) at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy forged in courage, discipline and an unwavering belief in his people,” he said.
“A veteran of the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War, he was, in every sense, a soldier’s soldier.
“As the visionary founder of the Jungle Training Centre (Battle School) at Tully, George set a benchmark for realism and professionalism in jungle warfare training that has saved countless Australian lives.
“His insistence on high standards was never about bravado – it was about preparation, survival and bringing our people home.
“His philosophy was simple yet profound: ‘knowing your people, understanding people, valuing people’.
“It was a principle he lived by. Whether through his influential book ‘Leadership on the Battlefield’, his novel of the ‘Mad Gallahs’ or his instrumental role in raising the 11th Brigade and strengthening northern surveillance capabilities, George remained a relentless advocate for the quintessential Australian soldier.
“To the wider world he was a brigadier. To those who served under him, he was ‘Warry’ – a leader who understood that mateship is the most powerful weapon an army possesses.
“He embodied the spirit of service before self and led from the front in both war and peace.”
Vietnam veteran and retired major Ross Grant said ‘Warry’ George was “hard driving but fair as a leader and superior officer to many, ranging from private, officer cadet, NCOs and commissioned officers all,” he said.
“He did not suffer fools at all and would happily denigrate puffed up personages to their detriment.
“No matter what your previous rank, his greeting to you on first meeting was always ‘Good day Digger’. He may well be the soldiers’ soldier but to many he will affectionately and respectfully be remembered as the ‘Diggers’ Digger’.
His funeral with full military honours will be at St Monica’s Cathedral on Tuesday 10 March at 10am.
