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 ; 131 lbs 59.421 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) Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll |
| 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 aboard HMAT A46 Clan McGillivray. On 17 Dec 1916 John proceeded to France 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 on 28 Dec 1916 he was admitted to the care of the 38th Casualty Clearing Station in France having been seen by the 5th Field Ambulance earlier that day, followed by the 10th General Hospital. On 5 Jan 1917 John was sent back to England from Rouen on HMHS St Andrew and admitted the next day to the 3rd London General Hospital in Wandsworth with bronchitis. It seems that he did not join the 11th Battalion prior to his health intervening.
On his recovery he was transferred to the 70th Battalion from 23 Mar 1917 until 19 Oct 1917, during which time he attended the No. 7 Bombing School, qualifying as an Assistant instructor. On 19 Oct 1917 he transferred to the 69th Battalion, however, given his health and age he was soon after (5 Nov 1917) sent to Weymouth for return to Australia where he was granted a medical discharge due to chronic bronchitis by the 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.