George Ronald Tattersall

Trained as a jockey in the 1930’s, rode several stakes winners before the outbreak of WW2.

Served in WW2, 2nd NZEF , 45847 Private in Infantry Brigade, in Egypt. Captured by Rommel’s Forces as they over-ran the British positions. Spent the rest of the war in Germany as a P.O.W., stalag 357(#2), Kopernikus, Germany.

Met and married Betty after returning to Palmerston North & being demobbed. She was at that time working in the office of the Royal Tavern, a public house directly next door to the Armed Forces building in Rangitikei St; a favourite haunt of the Forces after collecting their weekly pay..

Shorty went back into thoroughbred racing, first as a jockey, then later as a Stipendiary Steward of the NZ Racing Conference. He was known to the racing community all over NZ, giving decades of service to the NZRC. He helped raise Betty’s two sons, and in the 1980’s taught his step-granddaughter to drive, doing loops of Awapuni Racecourse carpark mid-week.

His obituary, published in the Evening Post just before ANZAC Day, made much of his war service, and only mentioned his decades of involvement in racing in passing, distressing close family and friends. Two of Betty’s great-grandchildren carry his name - a fitting tribute to a small man with a huge heart. Georgina was born just days after his passing; George a decade later.