John was born in Bacchus Marsh, VIC in 1890 to Adolf Johansen and Matilda Gullivar. Matilda died in 1892 and Adolf married Margaret McDermott in 1901. John had a brother, James, who is also remembered in the Avenue and a stepbrother, William McDermott, who is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, held by the RSL at Bacchus Marsh.
John was a labourer in the district of Goulburn, NSW, when he enlisted inthe AIF, 9th Reinforcements, 55th Battalion on the 1st of June 1916, aged 26. He embarked aboard the HMAT A68 Anchises In late January 1917, disembarking at Devonport, England, in late March.
John joined the 55th Battalion in France in October 1917. In late April 1918 he was wounded in action - gassed - and invalided back to England and admitted to the 1st Southern General Hospital, Stoubridge. In June, John was AWOL for six days and forfeited 24 days' pay as a result. At the beginning of August he rejoined his unit in France. He was appointed as a Driver in January 1919 before embarking for Australia aboard the Orita in late June, disembarking in August and was discharged from the AIF in January 1920.
He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour and the Roll of Honour for the Coimadai State School. He is also remembered in the Coimadai Avenue of Honour.
Tree Position (accuracy ±1 tree) -37.68344839575887, 144.46087413544294
Last updated by lee, Sat, 28 Aug 2021 18:32:52