John James Lynes Chester

Australia's Fighting Sons of the Empire WA Edition p.187
Personal Information
Date of Birth	not known
Place of Birth	Fremantle, Western Australia
Death	8 Oct 1959, aged 70
Place of Death	Donnybrook, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	25 years, 1 month
Description	5'4" (1.63m) tall; weight 148 lbs (67.1kg); fair complexion, grey eyes, fair hair.
Occupation	locomotive fireman
Religion	Church of England
Address	No 4 Mill, Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father Mr T Chester
Military Information
Reg Number	1785
Date of Enlistment	17 Aug 1914
Rank	Driver
Unit/Formation	3rd Field Artillery Brigade, 8th Battery / 1st Division
Date of Embarkation	2 Nov 1914 - 13 Dec 1914
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A7 Medic
Date of Return	24 Sep 1918
Ship Returned On	SS Kaiser-i-hind
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument	Jarrahdale
Medals	1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal

War Service

Had 3 years experience with the 14th Battery in the Militia before enlisting.

Joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 4 Apr 1915, and although records are missing it would appear that he served at Gallipoli with the 8th Battery, for the entire period of the campaign.

On return to Egypt he remustered as a gunner with the 8th Battery at Tel-el-Kebir on 23 Feb 1916. He was AWOL from 6:30am 3 Mar to 7:45am 7 Mar 1916 earning him an admonishment and loss of 5 days pay.

Sailed from Alexandria on 23 Mar 1916, arriving at Marseilles on the 29th. On 6 May 1916 he was hospitalised with VD in the 2nd Australian General Hospital who passed him on to the 9th Stationary Hospital and then the 18th General Hospital in Camiers. After 57 days he was released to rejoin the 8th Battery and on 19 Oct 1916 he was remustered as a Driver.

In France during June 1916 he again suffered with VD and was absent for 11 days receiving treatment. On 13 Oct 1917 he needed medical attention again, this time while on leave in England and was admitted to the Bulford Dermatological Hospital. On 25 Oct 1917 he was charged with being AWOL from 7:30am on 23 Oct 1917 till 10:00am on 25 Oct 1917. Penalty was the forfeiture of 11 days pay. Admitted to Bulford again on 25 October, he remained in hospital receiving treatment until 29 Dec 1917 a total period of 66 days.

Released to depot units, on 28 Jan 1918 at Sutton Veny he was charged with being AWOL from reveille 28 Jan until 3.30pm on 5 Feb 1918. Awarded 14 days Field Punishment No 2, and forfeiture of 25 days pay.

From March to June he was at Heytesbury preparing to rejoin his unit, and on 12 Jun 1918 he proceeded overseas to France again via Southampton. On 24 Sep 1918 he is recorded as embarking for Australia at Taranto.

Discharged 5th Military District 13 Jan 1919

Post War

In 1919 married Ellen Ruth Thompson in Fremantle. Ellen died 24 Jul 1985, aged 88. Buried together in Donnybrook cemetery. Two children, Nell and Tom. Electoral Roll entries - 1919 - 1922 5 Bouverie street, Balkatta, sawyer; 1925 cnr Robert 7 Murray street, Bayswater, boot finisher; 1936 - 1937East Nannup, setter; 1943 - 1958 Emerald street Donnybrook, labourer.