John (Senior) Shepherd
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown 1875 |
| Place of Birth | Westcott, Surrey, England |
| Death | 17 Feb 1948 |
| Place of Death | Victoria Park, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 40 years, 11 months |
| Description | 5'7" (1.70m) tall; weight 131 lbs (59.4 kg); fresh complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair |
| Occupation | brickmaker & gardener |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Maddington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife Mrs Laura Shepherd |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6223 |
| Date of Enlistment | 28 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 20th Reinforcements / 3rd Brigade, 1st Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 18 Sep 1916 - 2 Nov 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A46 Clan McGillivray |
| Date of Return | 21 Dec 1917 - ? Jan 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A34 Persic |
| Fate | Returned to Australia (medical) |
| Monument | Kelmscott War Memorial (South panel) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Married prior to arrival in Western Australia. Electoral Roll entries - 1916 - 1917 River road, Kelmscott, a gardener with Laura, who lived in Maddington once he enlisted.
War Service
Three weeks after entering Blackboy Hill camp John was allocated to the 20th reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion. Three months later he was appointed a Lance Corporal for the voyage to England.
Proceeded to France on 17 Dec 1916 from Folkestone on HMPS Golden Eagle. [A paddle steamer, used to ferry troops to France, and which would in WW2 play a role in the evacuation of Dunkirk, saving 1,285 men, before being moored in the Thames river as an anti-aircraft vessel.]
11 days later he was admitted to hospital in France having been seen by the 5th Australian Field Ambulance, the 38th Casualty Clearing Station, and the 10th General Hospital. On 5 Jan 1917 John was sent back to England from Rouen on HMHS St Andrew and admitted next day to the 6th London General Hospital in Wandsworth with bronchitis.
On his recovery he was then transferred to the 70th Battalion from the 11th to 23 Mar 1917. Qualified in England as a 'bayonet fighter', and as an assistant instructor at Bombing school.
Medical discharge due to chronic bronchitis at 5th Military District on 27 Feb 1918.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 - 1943 at 12 Kent street, Victoria Park. 1949 Laura alone at 12 Kent street; 1954 - 1958 she is at 123 Basinghall street, Victoria Park; She died 11 Jul 1958, aged 88 and is buried with John.
Notes
Buried in the Kenwick Cemetery.