English (1825 -1871)

George James Landells was born in Barbados on 5th February 1825 to George Landells and Margaret Anderson. The family lived variously in Barbados, Jamaica, Gambia and England before G J Landells moved to India around 1842. He came to Australia in 1856 aboard the Havannah.

In 1858 he was asked by the Royal Society of Victoria to buy camels in India. He took horses to India on the Gertrude, purchased 24 dromedary camels in Peshawar and sailed from Karachi aboard the Chinsurah. Landells returned to Australia with John King and John Drakeford, who became Expedition Assistants with the VEE, and his wife, E R Landells.

He submitted an application to join the Expedition.

Original item held at the State Library of Victoria, SLV MS13071, Boxes 2076/1-2076/5 and Boxes 2077/1-2077/4. Royal Society of Victoria, Exploration Committee Records: Applications to join the VEE received by the EC.

He was appointed to the VEE in July 1860 on a salary of £600 pa, as Second in Command and officer in charge of camels.

On the 18 August 1860, Brahe signed the Memorandum of Agreement at the Royal Society of Victoria.

He resigned at Menindee 14th October 1860. After the Commission of Enquiry he disappeared from the Melbourne scene, returned to India and died in Rawal Pindi in December 1871, aged 46.

Information on G J Landells kindly supplied by Len Meeny (lenster-AT-ozemail.com.au).

Where Landells went on the expedition