Lieutenant Colonel George Mitchell DSO (1877–1939) was an Independent Member of Parliament for Wellington South in New Zealand.
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George Mitchell represented the Wellington South electorate in the House of Representatives from 1919 to 1922.[1]
Mitchell was the sensation of the 1919 election defeating the Labour MP, Bob Semple, who had won Wellington South in the previous year at a by-election.[2]
George Mitchell was a member of the Balclutha Mounted Rifles in 1898. He served with the 1st and 8th New Zealand Contingents in South Africa 1899-1902. Mitchell was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal and South Africa 1902 Clasps.[3]
Mitchell was part of the 1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force 1914–19. He was a major in the Southland Regiment and commanding officer of the 3rd Otago Reserve Battalion in 1917–19; reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mitchell saw action in Gallipoli and France. He received the DSO in 1918 for distinguished service in the field (France and Flanders). He was awarded the Serbian Order of Karageorge, 4th Class with Swords; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal; Victory Medal; Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal; and NZ Volunteer Service Medal.[4]
Mitchell was a member of the Wellington City Council (1923–25 and 1927–31), Wellington Harbour Board (1921–29) and Wellington College Board of Governors. He was President of the Returned Soldiers' Association (RSA) and an executive member of the War Relief Association.[5]
He died 16 March 1939 in Wellington.