Private John Vincent Mceachran
Service #: 604
Summary
FAMILY LIFE
John Vincent McEachran was born in Murwillumbah in 1889, son of John Duncan McEachran & Margaret (Bell) McEachran. He was one of 6 children, all born in and around Murwillumbah & the Tweed. The family settled near Tumbulgum and raised cane & maize.
He was single farmer, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 28th August 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his father, John, of Murwillumbah. He had spent 3 years with the Light Horse, Murwillumbah.
He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia
PAGE 2
CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTING OFFICER
On the second page of the attestation documents the attesting confirms the following; “The foregoing questions were read to the person enlisted in my presence. I have taken care that he understood each question, and his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to by him”
OATH
He also made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, John Vincent McEachran, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War, and a further four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed therefrom: and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and case His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and I will in all matters appertaining to my services faithfully discharge my duty according to law
SO, HELP ME, GOD.”
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
His medical showed he was 25 years 10 months old, 5ft 7 inches tall (1.7m), weighed 148 lbs (67kgs), with a medium complexion, blue eyes & brown hair. His eyesight was good and he was dentally fit. John was Presbyterian and had 3 vaccination scars on his left arm, a scar on his right elbow and another on his right temple.
CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER
The medical examiner certifies I have examined the abovenamed person, and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz: -
Scrofula; phthisis; syphilis; impaired constitution; defective intelligence; defects of vision, voice, or hearing; hernia’ haemorrhoids; varicose veins, beyond a limited extent; marked varicocele with unusually pendent testicle; inveterate cutaneous disease’ chronic ulcers; traces of corporal punishment or evidence of having been marked with the letters D. or B.C; contracted or deformed chest; abnormal curvature of spine; or any other disease or physical defect calculated to unfit him for the duties of a soldier.
He can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service
CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER
This is completed during the recruits training. John was in Bells Paddock, Enoggera, training camp when this was completed on 21st November, 1916. The commanding officer certifies that this attestation of the abovenamed person is correct, and that the required forms have been complied with. He then states “I accordingly approve, and appoint him as a private into the 3rd Machine Gum Company – 10th Reinforcements with service 604
TRAINING AT RIFLE RANGE CAMP, ENOGGERA
As was the case with men from the Northern Rivers district in New South Wales, they trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera near Brisbane. The Barracks Block was built as accommodation for men in two dormitories, each 36 feet by 22 feet (10.97 x 6.7 metres). Beds or bunks were not provided, instead each man slept on a palliasse with ground sheet on the floor. For many it was their first time away from home. Men from every walk of life, from clerks and teachers to factory and shop workers, were crammed together
Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague, then a recruit had to be inducted into military forms of discipline, command, and order. This was partially achieved through a program of basic training carried and, in a sense, was maintained for a long as a man was in the service. It involved marching and drilling with the rifle, cleaning and caring for personal equipment and being supervised and inspected in ways quite different to ordinary civilian life. For example, no boots should be allowed to get in a bad state of wear but must be sent to the bootmaker without delay for repair. Men who were found with hair long and unshaven had to have a haircut and shave
Secondly, after basic training there followed the far more serious exercise of turning a man into a fighting soldier at least partially prepared for the kind of warfare he was about to experience overseas. The topics and exercises in the syllabus of training were a world away from their former lives and included daily physical training, entrenching, wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with gas attack, using hand grenades, using the bayonet, and the routines to be followed in the trenches.
This training was then put into practice during what were called ‘Field Days,’ when men would practice using the skills they had acquired in mock attacks both by day and by night. How well men had learnt to use their weapons, in cooperation with each other in training, would be tested in the harsh reality of the front line.
INNOCULATIONS
All recruits were given a range of inoculations while in camp. The most important jab was to protect against smallpox and typhoid – indeed, having this was an essential precondition of enlisting.
THE UNIFORM
The recruits were issued with their uniform- service dress jacket was made of Australian wool and its loose fit gave the wearer more allowance for movement. The four large pockets were very useful. A unique feature designed for comfort was the pleated back, which provided a double thickness of cloth down the back that the pack rubbed against. Breeches were corduroy worn with wool wrap puttees. The famous khaki felt slouch hat or early service cap is probably the most distinctive part of the uniform. turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge.
SOLDIER’S KIT
Australia's World War I soldiers went to war weighed down by almost 30 kilograms of clothes, weapons, tools and kit.
· Breeches: made from khaki woollen cord fabric, with side pockets and button flies. Soldiers were issued with two pairs of breeches, plus a pair of dungarees. The breeches ended above the ankles and the gap was filled with puttees.
· Braces: worn with breeches.
· Puttees: The men wound these strips of woollen cloth, almost three metres long, upwards from the ankle to just below the knee. Soldiers disliked the puttees, probably with good reason: the tight binding restricted circulation and might even have contributed to the high incidence of trench foot. Mounted troops wore leather leggings.
· Shirt: Soldiers were given two grey, collarless, flannel shirt, plus a military shirt.
· Ankle boots: brown and lace-up.
· Socks: Made from wool or cotton. Soldiers were issued with three pairs.
· Greatcoat: the khaki woollen coat (which weighed about 3kg) often doubled as a soldier's bedding and was his chief protection against the cold and wet. The coat came into its own when snow hit Gallipoli in November 1915 and also on the Western Front.
· Jersey
· Singlets: Soldiers were issued with 2 woollen singlets.
· Cotton "drawers" (underpants): Soldiers were issued with two pairs.
· Abdominal belts: a sort of cummerbund that was issued to keep soldiers warm and supposedly ward off disease.
· Backpacks and webbing: The main backpack was a rectangular sack measuring about 15 inches x 13 inches, closed at the top by a folding cover secured by two straps. The webbing included a web belt, cartridge pouches, small haversack, bayonet frog, an entrenching tool holder (plus another holder for its handle), and a water-bottle holder.
· Identity disc: Soldiers were initially issued with one medal "dog tag" on a cord, but later in the war they were given two tags, made of compressed fibre.
· Soldiers were also issued with a "housewife" - a sewing kit containing such items as needles, thimble, thread, wool and button so they could carry out running repairs.
· Also in their kit were a short-magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle, a rifle sling, a bayonet and scabbard, and an "entrenching tool" (they were "diggers" after all). This came in two parts, with the helve (handle) separate from the spade part.
· Soldiers were issued with eating equipment (knife, fork, spoon, an enamel mug, water bottle (with two-point capacity), and a mess tin with carrier.
· They also had a clasp knife (with marlin spike, tin-opener and lanyard), razor, shaving kit, soap, comb, two towels, field dressing (carried in the tunic's inside pocket), and a hold-all, in which they could pack their private possessions.
· No item was probably looked after more carefully than their service pay book: privates were paid six shillings a day
SEYMOUR TRAINING CAMP, VICTORIA
John only spent a few weeks in Enoggera then was transferred to the Seymour training camp in Victoria for specialised training in machine guns to prepare them for the technical and tactical demands of their role. They learned weapon familiarisation & handle the machine guns. Machine guns were operated by teams (usually 6–8 men). Each crew member was trained for specific roles:
· No. 1: Gunner (fired the weapon).
· No. 2: Assistant gunner (handled ammunition and cooling).
· Others: Carried spare parts, ammo, tripods, and helped reposition the gun.
They learnt marksmanship & range estimation; field tactics & battlefield use amongst many others lessons to be ready to use the machine gun on the battlefield
HOME LEAVE
He was given home leave from 3rd October to 6th October 1916
VOYAGE OVERSEAS MELBOURNE TO ENGLAND JANUARY 1917
On the 17th January 1917 the recruits left Melbourne, sailing upon the HMAT Omrah. Alongside his comrades, he marched aboard, his boots ringing on the gangway. As the ship’s lines were cast off and the quay began to slip away, the reality of war lay ahead, but for now, the sea breeze carried only the sound of voices and the excitement of men bound for adventure, duty, and the unknown.
SLEEPING & LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
Recruits likely slept in a crowded troop deck below, where rows of hammocks or three-tier wooden bunks were crammed close together.
Air below decks could be stuffy, especially in warmer climates, and seasickness was common during the first few days.
DAILY ROUTINE
Reveille early each morning, followed by physical exercises on the open decks (weather permitting). There were parades and inspections—officers ensured uniforms, rifles, and kit were clean and in order. Training was a little problematic—drill without much space, rifle maintenance, lectures on military discipline, signalling, and trench warfare theory. The ship’s decks were used for marching in tight circles or practising bayonet thrusts into stuffed sacks. Rifle shooting was impossible at sea, so soldiers learned to strip and clean their weapons until it was second nature.
MEALS
Three hearty meals a day were served; breakfast usually consisted of porridge, stew, and tea. Lunch included soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. Meat, bread with jam and tea was served for dinner. The meals were served in shifts from the ship’s galley. Queues were long, and eating on a rolling ship meant many tried to eat quickly before nausea set in.
HEALTH & SANITATION
Shipboard hygiene was critical—every man was ordered to scrub his section daily to prevent disease. Saltwater baths were the norm, with freshwater rationed for drinking.
THE VOYAGE EXPERIENCE
Entertainment included church drill, concerts, singalongs, card games, and makeshift cricket matches on deck when the weather allowed. In an attempt to keep up morale, an area of the ship was roped off where regular boxing and wrestling tournaments were held. This became commonly known as the Stoush Stadium. No letters could be sent until they reached port, but men often wrote diaries or unsent letters to be posted later.
The troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection
CROSSING THE EQUATOR CEREMONY
The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.
SIGHTS AT SEA
On the way to Egypt, where the ship would refuel & take on supplies, the ship would pass through the Great Australian Bight, cross the Indian Ocean, and stop at Colombo (Ceylon now Sri Lanka) for coal and supplies.
SECURITY
By late 1914, German raiders were active, so lifeboat drills were frequent, and lookouts kept watch for suspicious ships. Troopships generally sailed in convoys or at least took zig-zag courses to make torpedo attacks harder. Ships often travelled under blackout conditions at night, with lookouts specifically watching for periscopes or torpedo wakes. The danger was greatest in the Western Approaches near Britain, where U-boats patrolled choke points like the English Channel and Irish Sea.
EGYPT
After several weeks at sea, the men finally saw the dusty shoreline of Port Said or Alexandria. They could only wonder at the sights and sounds they could see as they watched the ship being refuelled and goods taken on board
ENGLAND
About a fortnight later the men finally saw the green shoreline of England. The reality of leaving home truly sank in. The recruits would soon exchange the ship’s cramped decks for the training grounds of England, preparing for what lay ahead.
BELTON PARK, GRANTHAM MACHINE GUN TRAINING CAMP
They disembarked at Plymouth on 27th March 1917 and was marched into the machine gun training camp at Belton Park. This was part of their advanced training before heading to the Western Front. Training at Belton Park was intensive and specialized, focusing on:
Vickers Machine Gun:
· Detailed instruction on the weapon’s mechanics, care, and use in combat.
· Crew drills, firing drills, stripping and assembling the gun.
Live Fire Practice:
· Conducted on nearby firing ranges.
· Included both direct and indirect fire training.
Tactics & Coordination:
· Learning how to support infantry, defend trenches, and deliver enfilade fire.
· Coordinating machine gun fire with artillery and infantry movements.
Map Reading & Signals:
· Using maps for indirect fire and targeting.
· Training in field signals and basic communication.
Physical Training & Discipline:
· Marching, endurance, and trench drills
TAKEN ON STRENGTH
On 16th June 1917 he was taken on strength with the 10th Machine Gun Company in France
WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE
Ordinary soldiers found themselves fighting the German in trench warfare. On the Western Front in 1914–1918, both sides constructed elaborate trench, underground, and dugout systems opposing each other along a front, protected from assault by barbed wire. The area between opposing trench lines (known as "no man's land") was fully exposed to artillery fire from both sides. Attacks, even if successful, often sustained severe casualties. Trench warfare created a living environment for the men which was harsh, stagnant, and extremely dangerous. Not only were trenches constantly under threat of attack from shells or other weapons, but there were also many health risks that developed into large-scale problems for medical personnel.
Machine gun crews were often positioned in or just behind the front-line trenches, especially during defensive operations. Their purpose was to:
· Repel enemy attacks with direct fire.
· Sweep no man's land during enemy advances.
· Support infantry during assaults.
However, due to their vulnerability and the importance of keeping the guns functional, machine guns were not always placed in the most exposed front positions unless tactically required. The were frequently stationed in support or reserve trenches, machine guns were used to:
· Provide enfilade fire across the front.
· Cover flanks of attacking or defending units.
· Act as a mobile reserve to reinforce weak points.
BETWEEN JUNE AND NOVEMBER 1917
Between June and November 1917, the 10th Australian Machine Gun Company was actively engaged on the Western Front, providing critical machine gun support during several major battles of the Third Battle of Ypres (also known as the Battle of Passchendaele) in Belgium. During this period, the 10th Machine Gun Company participated in several significant battles:
THE BATTLE OF POLYGON WOOD (26 SEPTEMBER – 3 OCTOBER 1917)
Following the hard fighting around Ypres during 1917, John and the 10th Australian Machine Gun Company took part in the Battle of Polygon Wood, which commenced on 26 September 1917. The battle formed part of the larger Third Battle of Ypres, known as Passchendaele. The role of the machine-gun companies was vital. Rather than advancing as ordinary infantry, John's unit provided carefully planned barrages of machine-gun fire to support attacking Australian battalions. Using Vickers machine guns, the company fired thousands of rounds over the heads of advancing troops to suppress German strongpoints and prevent enemy reinforcements from reaching the battlefield. As the Australian infantry pushed through Polygon Wood and captured their objectives, the machine-gunners moved forward across shattered ground churned by months of shellfire, establishing new positions from which they could protect the captured territory against German counter-attacks.
The conditions were extremely difficult. The battlefield was littered with shell craters, broken tree stumps and tangled barbed wire, making the movement of heavy Vickers guns, ammunition, water and tripods a laborious task. Machine-gun crews often worked under enemy artillery fire while carrying loads weighing many kilograms. Once in position, John's section would have been responsible for maintaining continuous fire, sometimes throughout the day and night, to deny the enemy freedom of movement. The success of the battle saw the Australians secure the strategically important Polygon Wood ridge, improving their position east of Ypres.
THE BATTLE OF BROODSEINDE (4 OCTOBER 1917)
Only a week later, on 4 October 1917, John and the 10th Australian Machine Gun Company were again heavily engaged during the Battle of Broodseinde. This battle became one of the greatest Australian victories of the war. The Germans had planned their own attack on the same morning, but the Australian and British assault struck first, catching many enemy troops while they were assembling. As the infantry advanced, machine-gun companies such as John's provided a protective curtain of fire ahead of the attack and then rapidly moved their guns forward to consolidate the newly captured ground.
Throughout the battle, the 10th Australian Machine Gun Company helped break up German counter-attacks by directing concentrated fire onto enemy formations attempting to retake lost positions. The Vickers guns proved devastatingly effective, and their sustained fire contributed significantly to the defeat of repeated German efforts to regain the ridge. For John, the battle would have involved long hours at the gun, carrying ammunition through mud and shell holes, and enduring constant artillery bombardment. By the end of the day the Australians had captured all their objectives and inflicted severe losses on the enemy, making Broodseinde one of the most successful operations undertaken by the Australian Corps during the war.
These two battles represented some of the most intense and important fighting experienced by John and the men of the 10th Australian Machine Gun Company, whose skill and endurance provided essential support to the Australian infantry during the advance through the Ypres salient.
WOUNDED IN ACTION
On 4th October John was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to his left thigh/leg. He was lying in no man’s land for some before being brought in, suffering terribly from blood loss.
HOSPITALISATION ENGLAND
He was admitted to a hospital in Rouen but on 17th November he sailed for Britain and on 19th November he was admitted to an English hospital.
CONVALESCENCE SUTTON VENEY FEBRUARY 1918
He spent many months there and was transferred to Sutton Veney Command depot for convalescence. Normally, men would be retrained to return to their unit but John was not able to do so
RETURNED TO AUSTRALIA MARCH 1918
On 12th March John returned to Australia on the Kenilworth Castle. He was discharged 26th June 1918
CLOTHING AND NECESSITIES GIVEN TO SOLDIERS FOR SOLDIERS PROCEEDING TO AUSTRALIA FOR DEMOBILISATION
Badges Hat Badges Collar (2) Bags kit universal
Bags kit sea Braces (pair) Brush, shaving
Brush, tooth Breeches M.S (Military service)
Cap comforter (warm cap) Comb, hair
Disc identity with cord Drawers (2 pairs)
Great Coat Hat, Khaki fur Hat, white
Holdall Housewife (compact sewing kit)
Jackets Cardigan Jackets S.D (service dress)
Leggings 1 pair Laces, leather 1 pair
Puggarees, small (a traditional Indian head wrap, worn in warm conditions
Puttees, 1 pair (cloth bandages worn by soldiers, to provide support and protection for the lower leg)
Razor Shirts, flannel (2) Socks, 3 pairs
Singlets (2)
Strap chin Soap piece Suit, working
Towels, hand (2)
Titles “Australia” (4)-
Australian soldiers and
non-commissioned officers wore an “Australia” title at the base of their
shoulder straps. Each serving soldier also
wore unit titles above this which
indicated the units to which they belonged
For his service John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal
HOME LIFE
John married Alemenea Hunter in Byron Bay in 1919. According to Findagrave.com they had a son, David, in 1928. John died 14th March 1957 in Murwillumbah. He is buried in Mount Thompson Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, Holland Park, Brisbane, plot Columbarium 11, Section 19
If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.
Memorial Location
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Buried Location
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