Born Omata, 10 Apr 1890. Son of Max Bollinger (born Bavarian) and Margaret Isabella Smith (née Sproule, born Ireland)). Four sisters and two brothers. Brother of Herman Bollinger (47497), who was killed in action in France on 15 March 1918. Protestant. Educated at New Plymouth Boy's High School. 1906 worked as a clerk for the Bank of New South Wales. Joined the Territorial Force in 1911 and was appointed second lieutenant with the 16th (Waikato) Regiment. Volunteered for New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 14 Aug 1914. Promoted to sergeant in early May 1915 and fought in the Gallipoli campaign. Promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major in Jan 1916, and soon after was sent back to New Zealand for training as an officer. Appointed Second Lieutenant and took up a post as an instructor at Trentham camp. Through-out his military career the Defence Department received letters indicating Bollinger was a German sympathizer due to his parental background. He returned to active service Aug 1916 and in Nov joined the 2nd Battalion of the Wellington Infantry Regiment. Wounded in the battle of Messines 8 Jun 1917, died 10 Jun 1917. Buried Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France. Serial number: 10/1024. See DNZB (Vol 3, 1901-1920, p59, B39); Phillips, Jock. 'Bollinger, George Wallace 1890 - 1917'. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, updated 4 April 2003. URL: http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb; Archives NZ, Army Personnel File, (R7879561).
Bollinger, George Wallace, 1890-1917
Bollinger, George Wallace, 1890-1917 : Diary and letters
Date: 1914-1917
By: Bollinger, George Wallace, 1890-1917
Reference: MS-Papers-2350
Description: Diary covers period Sep 1914-Jun 1915 and describes daily activities, with accompanying photographs. Three letters written from England and France, 1915-1917. Folder 3 contains copy prints of photographs taken in Gallipoli, from an original album. Source of title - Supplied title Relationship complexity - A second diary, 11 Aug 1915 - 11 Feb 1916, is held at MS-Papers-1419. Unlike MS-Papers-2350 it is an original diary, not a photocopy. See also background material about Bollinger and partial transcript in Nicholas Boyack's papers at MS-Papers-4457 and 97-148-3/09 Bollinger left New Zealand in Oct 1914 with the Wellington Infantry Battalion and saw action at Gallipoli. He was commissioned as an officer in New Zealand in 1916 and then sailed for France where he was killed in action in June 1917 Quantity: 3 folder(s) (81 leaves, 19 photographs). 0.03 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holographs and typed transcript (photocopies), photographs
Boyack, Nicholas John, 1961- : A German New Zealander at Gallipoli - the Diary of Georg...
Date: [ca 1988]
By: Boyack, Nicholas John, 1961-
Reference: MS-Papers-4457
Description: This was originally to have been a chapter in `The Great Adventure' by Phillips, Boyack and Malone but was not included. Boyack gives background information about Bollinger and the anti-German sentiments directed at him. Most of the essay comprises Bollinger's diary covering the period 14 Oct 1914 to 20 Dec 1915. Also included are two letters written by Bollinger, one on 29 Oct 1916 and one 13 May 1917. Source of title - title page Quantity: 1 folder(s) (25 leaves). Physical Description: typescript (photocopy) Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - N Boyack, Wellington, 1992
George Wallace Bollinger
Date: 1916
From: Pharazyn, Mary Isabella, 1925-1978: Photographs of George Wallace Bollinger and Herman Bollinger
Reference: PAColl-0049-1
Description: Studio portrait of George Wallace Bollinger, taken in 1916 by an unidentified photographer. Bollinger is dressed in his military uniform. Inscriptions: Verso - top centre - George Wallace Bollinger 1916 Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print 12.9 x 8.5 cm
George Wallace Bollinger, or his brother, Herman Bollinger
Date: 1914
From: Pharazyn, Mary Isabella, 1925-1978: Photographs of George Wallace Bollinger and Herman Bollinger
Reference: 1/2-066908-F
Description: Either George Wallace Bollinger, or his brother, Herman Bollinger, in 1914. Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film copy negative
Bollinger, George Wallace, 1890-1917 : Diary
Date: 11 Aug 1915-11 Feb 1916
By: Bollinger, George Wallace, 1890-1917
Reference: MS-Papers-1419
Description: Diary covers service in Egypt and the Gallipoli campaign, while serving with the Hawkes Bay Company of the Wellington Infantry Regiment. Diary begins on 11 Aug 1915. Bollinger is returning to the front in Gallipoli after a month away from action, recuperating in the New Zealand General Hospital No 2 with a case of Gastritis. First part of diary recounts sailing from Alexandria to Turkey and activities aboard ship. He notes the sinking of the passenger liner `Royal Edward' in six minutes, with 2500 to 3000 British troops on board after being torpedoed by the German submarine UB-14. Bollinger has drawn a rough sketch of the vessel sinking (approximately 935 soldiers were drown). Comments on the transfer at the island of Lemnos and the trip to ANZAC Cove. On arrival comments on how badly beaten up the Wellington Brigade are, and the deaths of Lieutenant-Colonel William Malone and his friend Lieutenant Grace. Describes his ill health, the frightful smell of dead soldiers, body lice, living conditions, mail from home, and actions against the Turks, as well as personal comments on the nature of war. On 1 Sep the remnants of the New Zealand Infantry Brigade are ordered to man Garrison Apex. 14 September the Australian and New Zealand Brigades are withdrawn from Gallipoli to Lemnos for rest and reorganisation. Bollinger notes that most of the soldiers are sick with stomach pains and that Lemnos has become one big hospital. Bollinger himself ends up in the Hospital at Mudros. Comments on daily parades, church services and his military duties on Lemnos. 8 Nov returned to Gallipoli and the Apex on Chunuk Bair. 14 Nov comments on the rumour Lord Kitchener is visiting Gallipoli and details the heavy shelling from the Turkish Army and the huge weather storm encompassing the Peninsula. 24 Nov Bollinger takes snapshots with his camera of the Apex, Guthrie's donkeys and the Turkish position from the beach. Late Nov a snow storm with sleet, rain and ice. 2 Dec another Hawkes Bay Company soldier shot and Bollinger notes the Company is down to 84 men. 5 Dec Bollinger sails across to the island of Imbos to get canteen supplies for the Company, passes by Cape Helles. From 11 Dec he notes consistent rumours of an evacuation from Gallipoli and on 14 Dec that "Today we got our handicaps for the Gallipoli Runaway Stakes". Hawkes Bay Company evacuates on 18 Dec to Mudros on Lemnos. 26 Dec sailed on the P&0 liner `Simila' to Suez and onto the village of Ismali. Leave into Cairo for a week in early January 1916 and Bollinger notes the relief and joy at the freedom of the soldiers. Returns to Moascar army camp awaiting redeployment. 11 Jan Bollinger's appointment as Regimental Sergeant is confirmed and his notice to return to New Zealand is given 2 Feb. He is one of only six men from the whole force that are to return to New Zealand. Leaves Cairo to head to Suez on the 10 Feb. Last entry on 11 Feb 1916 for diary journal. The end pages of the volume contain payment lists, names and addresses. Source of title - Supplied Relationship complexity - An earlier diary by Bollinger, together with letters and photographs (all photocopies) are held at MS-Papers-2350 Sergeant Bollinger fought with the Hawkes Bay Company, Wellington Infantry Regiment in the Turkish Campaign at Gallipoli in 1915. Returned to New Zealand in Feb 1916 to train as an officer. Serial number: 10/1024. Quantity: 1 folder(s) (one volume, 134 pages). 0.01 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holograph (13.5 cm, black leather) Processing information: Part of WW100 digitisation project. Digitisation details - 107 digitised images