RSL Pays Tribute to Brig. George “Warry” Mansford

MEDIA RELEASE

The Returned & Services League of Australia (RSL) has paid tribute to former Brigadier George 'Warry' Mansford AM, who passed away yesterday (19 February 2026), aged 91.

Brigadier Mansford (Ret.) was a decorated soldier, accomplished poet and author of the book The Mad Galahs, an historical account of Australian infantrymen at war.

Born in Guildford Western Australia. George Mansford enlisted in 1951 and soon after joining the Army served in the Korean War with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment; then as a rifleman in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment in the Malayan Emergency, from 1955 to 1957; and then on a second tour there from 1959 to 1961. Tours on the Thai border, in Vietnam, in Papua New Guinea and in Singapore followed. He was commissioned from the ranks in 1964 and served for four decades before finally retiring in 1990.

RSL Australia National President Peter Tinley AM said George Mansford was a soldier’s soldier, a formidable leader and respected by all who knew him.

“He was the visionary founder of the Army’s Jungle Training Centre at Tully in Queensland, where he instilled a standard of realism and discipline that undoubtedly saved the lives of countless Australian soldiers,” Peter Tinley said.

“He was a great Australian patriot and a strong advocate for Australia soldiers.

“On retirement, he held the rank of Brigadier, but to the soldiers in the field he was legendary and respected for his unwavering view that service and mateship were the great strengths of the Australian Army.

“George Mansford served with honour and will be greatly missed. The RSL extends its sincere condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues,” Peter Tinley said.