George Wootten
| Sir George Wootten | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
1 May 1893 Marrickville, New South Wales |
| Died |
31 March 1970 (aged 76) Concord, New South Wales |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1911–1923 1937–1958 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | 21st Light Horse Regiment 2/2nd Infantry Battalion 16th Infantry Brigade 18th Infantry Brigade 9th Division 3rd Division |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order & Bar Efficiency Decoration Mention in Despatches (4) Distinguished Service Cross (United States) |
Major General Sir George Frederick Wootten KBE, CB, DSO & Bar, ED (1 May 1893 – 31 March 1970), was an Australian soldier, public servant, right wing political activist and solicitor. He rose to the rank of temporary major general during World War II. Wootten earned the respect of his soldiers and superiors; General Douglas MacArthur described him as "the best soldier in the Australian Army who had it in him to reach the highest position". He was famous, in part, for his heavy build; he had given up smoking in 1930, and by 1941—even though he was 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) tall—he weighed 127 kg (20 st).
Wootten was born on 1 May 1893 in Marrickville, Sydney, Australia. He was the seventh child of English, London-born migrant parents, William Frederick Wootten (a carpenter and later a civil engineer) and Louisa Wootten, née Old. George Wootten attended Fort Street Model School in Sydney.
He entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1911, and graduated in August 1914 as a Lieutenant.
Wootten's graduation coincided with the outbreak of World War I. He was posted to the 1st Battalion, went ashore at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, and was promoted to captain in May that year. He was a major by December.
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