John James Gill
From Our Contribution
Personal Information | |
---|---|
Date of Birth | c1893 |
Place of Birth | Bendigo, Victoria |
Death | 3 Jun 1918 |
Place of Death | Villers-Bretonneux, France |
Age at Enlistment | 23 years, 4 months |
Description |
5'5½" (1.66m) tall ; 135 lbs 61.235 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair |
Occupation | Miner |
Religion | Church of England |
Address | Boulder, Western Australia |
Next of Kin | Father , Mr John Gill |
Military Information | |
Reg Number | 7477 |
Date of Enlistment | 12 Feb 1917 |
Rank | Private |
Unit/Formation | 16th Battalion, 25th reinforcement |
Date of Embarkation | 29 Jun 1917 ‒ 25 Aug 1917 |
Ship Embarked On | HMAT A30 Borda Fremantle to Plymouth |
Fate | Killed in Action 3 Jun 1918 |
Monument |
Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Australian War Memorial |
Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
Enlisted the first time on 22 Jan 1916 and was allocated to the 45th Depot Company until 2 Mar 1916 when he was allocated to the 10th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. At some point he fell behind in his training and was reallocated to the 22nd Depot Company. On 5 Apr 1916, however, he was again allocated to a training unit, the 18th reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion, but his records show that again he was moved back to the 22nd Depot Company. Seemingly disenchanted he went AWOL, and on 12 May 1916 he was summarily discharged as being Absent.
John enlisted the second time in Boulder. On entry to Blackboy Hill camp he was allocated to the 25th reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion, and travelled with them to England aboard HMAT A30 Borda, disembarking in Plymouth on 25 Aug 1917. On arrival John was sent to the 4th Training Battalion at Codford to prepare for France.
John proceeded overseas to France on 4 Dec 1917 to reinforce the 44th Battalion, and was taken on strength by them on 10 Dec 1917 as they completed a period of rest near Armentieres before returning to forward areas.
John's death is reported for 3 Jun 1918, when the Battalion War Diary Entry for the day reads:
Monastry Du Bois L'Abbe. 3rd June 1918. Nothing of interest to report apart from a few heavy shells on the battery areas in the vicinity. Weather still fine.
Neville Browning in his book "The Westralian Battalion" noted that those batteries were in the vicinity of the 44th Battalion's lines and two men from 'B' Company were killed, John Gill being one of them.
Notes
Only likely match for name on the Mundijong memorial - possibly an earlier resident?