John was born in Burghead, Scotland in 1888. He was a gardener and enlisted at Bacchus Marsh, VIC in the AIF, 6th Reinforcements, 21st Battalion on the 13th of July 1915, aged 27. John embarked aboard the RMS Moldavia in October, disembarking in Egypt some time later. He transferred to the 7th Battalion in January 1916 before embarking from Alexandria, Egypt in March.
On the last day of March 1916 John disembarked at Marseilles, France. In July, during the Battle of Pozieres, John was wounded in action and admitted to the 1st Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, France - shell shock and a sprained back. He rejoined his unit in September and was detached to the 1st Pioneer Battalion until January 1917 - mining duties. In April John was again wounded in action. He was admitted to hospital in Rouen, France - gunshot wound to the face - then to the 2nd Southern General Hospital, England, rejoining his unit in Belgium in August. He was granted three weeks leave in England in September 1918 before being posted to the 2nd Brigade for a class of instruction for almost two months.
John returned to England in January 1919 and embarked for Australia in March aboard the City of Poona, returning to Australia in May and was discharged from the AIF in August.
He is listed on the Shire of Bacchus Marsh Roll of Honour, the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour and the Hastings State School Honor Roll.
Tree Position (accuracy ±1 tree) -37.68500491821703, 144.46272669889004
Last updated by lee, Sun, 29 Aug 2021 12:03:06