FAMILY LIFE

John Thomas Sanders was born in 1890 in Wallsend, son of Thomas & Grace Ann Sanders. According to NSWBDM he was one of 6 children.

ATTESTATION

He was single contractor, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Enoggera on 23^rd August 1915 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his father Thomas, of Murwillumbah. He been apprenticed to a baker for 3 years. 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

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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 Thomas Sanders, 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 4 months old, 5ft 4 inches tall (1.62m), weighed 124 lbs (56kgs), with a fair complexion, hazel eyes & fair hair. His eyesight was good. John was Methodist and had a scar on the outside of his left leg.

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

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 31^st Infantry Battalion – B Company with service No 451

TRAINING AT RIIFLE RANGE CAMP, ENOGGERA

The 31st Battalion was raised as part of the 8th Brigade at Enoggera, on the outskirts of Brisbane, in August 1915 and the recruits all attended the training camp at Rifle Camp, Enoggera. 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 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. Training would take several months

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 five shillings a day

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

Some of the 31^st battalion’s companies, however, were also raised at Broadmeadows Camp in Victoria. In early October, these two elements were united at Broadmeadows. Two ships left from Melbourne carrying the 31st Battalion Headquarters and Companies A, B, C and D: HMAT A62, 'Wandilla', on 9 November 1915 and HMAT A41, 'Bakara', on 5 November 1915. It is not possible from the Embarkation Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked. The epic voyage across the ocean has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world.” They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. On-board, Officers organised rigorous training drills and exercise sessions for the men. They were expected to do their own washing, sweep the decks and carry out other chores

Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. 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. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant. 

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. Many of the troops experienced bouts of seasickness on the voyage. The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship. They disembarked on the Suez on 7^th December 1915

EGYPTIAN TRAINING CAMP

The 31st joined the newly raised 5th Australian Division in Egypt. During an interim period, soldiers typically:

·      Recovered from the voyage: After long sea travel from Australia, troops needed time to rest and regain strength.

·      Underwent medical inspections: To check for illnesses, infections, or conditions like venereal disease that might delay their training.

·      Received equipment and uniforms: Egypt's heat made the heavy wool uniforms uncomfortable. As a result, lighter clothing was often issued or obtained locally. Soldiers frequently wore:

ü Khaki cotton shirts without the tunic

ü Lightweight drill uniforms made from cotton

ü Shorts on some occasions, particularly in camp

ü Pith helmets or sun helmets for fatigue duties and work in the sun, although the slouch hat remained the iconic Australian headgear

·      Were assigned to training battalions: Administrative processing sorted soldiers into reinforcement drafts for specific front-line battalions.

·      Drilled lightly: They performed light drills, parades, and familiarisation routines while waiting for formal training slots to open. Then there formal training began

MENA TRAINING CAMP, EGYPT

Training would be for eight hours a day six days a week. All day long, in every valley of the Sahara for miles around the Pyramids of Giza were groups or lines of men advancing, retiring, drilling or squatted near their piled arms listening to their officer. For many of the battalions many miles of desert had to be covered in the morning and evening to and from their allotted training areas. At first, to harden the troops, they wore full kit with heavy packs. Their backs became drenched with perspiration, and the bitter desert wind blew on them as they camped for their midday meal and many deaths from pneumonia were attributed to this cause. The camp was a place of tough acclimatization, designed to prepare the men for combat in Gallipoli. It was physically uncomfortable, with limited resources, but it played a critical role in transitioning a civilian army into one ready for war

ADMITTED TO FIELD AMBULANCE – CAMEL BITE JANUARY 1916

On the 28th January 1916 John was bitten on his forearm by a camel. He was admitted to the 8th Field Ambulance in Serapeum. A Field Ambulance was a mobile front line medical unit (it was not a vehicle), manned by troops of the Royal Army Medical Corps.

ADMITTED TO HOSPITAL POISONED FOREARM & FRACTURED FOREARM- FEBRUARY 1916

On 15th February he was transferred to the hospital in Ismailia with a poisoned forearm and then to No1 Auxiliary Hospital in Ghezireh with a fractured forearm.

CONVALESCENT CAMP HELIOPOLIS APRIL 1916

On the 16th April he was admitted to a camp in Heliopolis where he would convalesce but continue with drilling & training as the technology and techniques were rapidly changing and soldiers had to be up to date when they were ready to rejoin their units.

REJOINED UNIT MAY 1916

On 9th May he rejoined his unit who were preparing to sail to France.

WESTERN FRONT TRENCH WARFARE JUNE 1916

They sailed on 16th June 1916 and arrived in Marseilles on 23rd June.

The soldiers now 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. Apart from the inescapable cold during the winters in France & Belgium, trenches were often completely waterlogged and muddy, and crawling with lice and rats

The time soldiers spent in the trenches varied depending on factors like their army's rotation system and the intensity of the conflict in their sector. On average:

·      Front-line trenches: Soldiers typically remained here for about 4–6 days at a time. This was where the fighting was most intense and the conditions were the harshest.

·      Support and reserve trenches: After time on the front line, soldiers were rotated to these positions for around 6–12 days. These trenches were set further back and offered slightly better conditions.

·      Rest periods: Soldiers were then moved away from the trench system entirely for rest, training, and recovery, often lasting several weeks, depending on operational needs.

The rotation system helped prevent complete physical and mental exhaustion, but the constant dangers of trench life meant there was rarely any true respite.

JUNE 1916

The 31st moved into the so-called “nursery” sector near Armentières, a quieter part of the Western Front used to introduce newly arrived units to trench warfare. This area was under the command of the 5th Division, to which the 31st Battalion belonged.

Activities:

·      Trench Familiarization: The battalion was rotated in and out of the front lines to learn trench routines, such as sentry duty, working parties, and raiding preparation.

·      Working Parties & Fatigue Duties: Men were often assigned to night-time labour, improving trenches, laying duckboards, repairing barbed wire, and building strongpoints under cover of darkness.

·      Training: When out of the line, the battalion conducted physical training, weapons handling, and field exercises.

·      Exposure to Enemy Fire: Though considered a "quiet" sector, they still endured occasional shelling, sniping, and trench raids.

 

 

 

THE BATTLE OF FROMELLES JULY 1916

The 31st Battalion fought its first major battle at Fromelles on 19 July 1916, having only entered the front-line trenches 3 days previously. The attack was a disastrous introduction to battle for the 31st – it suffered 572 casualties, over half of its strength. They were near the village of Fromelles, northern France. The attack was intended as a diversion to prevent German reinforcements moving south to the Somme, where the British were engaged in a major offensive.

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS:

·      18 July: The battalion moved into the assembly trenches in preparation for the attack.

·      6:00 PM, 19 July: The attack began after a prolonged artillery bombardment.

The 31st Battalion crossed No Man’s Land under heavy machine gun and artillery fire. Some men reached the German first line, but the gains were short-lived and unsustainable without support or reinforcements.

The Germans counter-attacked with overwhelming strength. Many Australians were cut off and killed or captured. The attack failed with catastrophic casualties. The 31st Battalion suffered heavy losses:

approximately 572 casualties out of about 992 men engaged. This included killed, wounded, and missing — nearly 60% of the battalion.

WOUNDED IN ACTION

John was one of those casualties with gunshot wound to his right elbow, which fractured his ulna (elbow to wrist)

HOSPITALISATION ENGLAND JULY 1916

He was admitted to the 1st General North Hospital in Newcastle on Tyne, England on 23rd July

CODFORD COMMAND POST OCTOBER 1916

On 16th October 1916 was marched into Codford command depot where he would again convalesce but continue with drilling & training as the technology and techniques were rapidly changing and soldiers had to be up to date when they were ready to rejoin their units.

DISCIPLINED NOVEMBER 1917

While at the camp in Codford, on 10th November 1917 he neglected illegible bounds. He was awarded 5 days confined to camp.

OVERSEAS TRAINING BRIGADE NOVEMBER 1917

On 14^th November he was marched into the training brigade to retrain him to return to his unit. Activities included

·      Physical conditioning and route marches.

·      Weapons training, including musketry, bayonet fighting, and use of grenades.

·      Trench warfare training, including construction, tactics, and movement.

·      Drill and discipline, polishing military routines.

Occasionally, gas mask training and mock trench raids

REJOINED UNIT MARCH 1918

On 13^th March 1918 he rejoined the 31^st battalion

MARCH 1918 TO NOVEMBER 1918

Between March 1918 and November 1918, the 31st Battalion (Australian Imperial Force) was heavily involved in some of the most intense and decisive phases of fighting on the Western Front, especially as the war moved into its final phase — the Allied counter-offensives that ultimately led to victory. In this period, the battalion went from defending against the major German spring offensive to participating in the Allied advance that broke the Hindenburg Line and led to the end of the war.

MARCH–APRIL 1918: RESPONDING TO THE GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE

The German Spring Offensive began in late March 1918, and the 31st was quickly moved to reinforce the front near Villers-Bretonneux, close to Amiens, to halt the German advance.

The battalion was involved in holding defensive positions, digging trenches, and manning outposts during this critical phase

MAY–JUNE 1918: TRENCH WARFARE & PATROLS

This period was relatively static. The 31st held front-line and support trenches near the Somme. There were patrols, raids, and artillery duels, but no major battles. The Australians maintained aggressive patrolling to keep pressure on the Germans.

THE TURNING POINT – BATTLE OF AMIENS JULY TO AIGIST 191

On 8 August 1918, the 31st took part in the Battle of Amiens, a massive, surprise Allied offensive involving tanks, aircraft, and coordinated infantry-artillery tactics. This battle marked the beginning of the Hundred Days Offensive and the collapse of German resistance.

THE BATTLE OF AMIENS AUGUST 1918

On the night of 7 August 1918, Gunner J.R. Armitage lay in readiness for the attack the next day. In his diary, he wrote:

It was utterly still. Vehicles made no sound on the marshy ground ... The silence played on our nerves a bit. As we got our guns into position you could hear drivers whispering to their horses and men muttering curses under their breath, and still the silence persisted, broken only by the whine of a stray rifle bullet or a long range shell passing high overhead ... we could feel that hundreds of groups of men were doing the same thing - preparing for the heaviest barrage ever launched.

The Attack

At 4.20 am the next day:

all hell broke loose and we heard nothing more. The world was enveloped in sound and flame, and our ears just couldn't cope. The ground shook.

A mass of assembled Allied forces, including Australians, launched an offensive to push through the German front lines to victory. It was to involve the 1st French and 4th British armies, but was led by combined Australian and Canadian forces.

There was a mist, which helped the element of surprise, and through it moved the joint forces of a line of tanks and infantry. The crucial work of the heavy artillery held off fire from German guns, so that troops could get across the land.

Setting out from the positions of Villers-Bretonneux and Hamel, the Australian troops in two hours had accomplished all their objectives, and the Canadian troops that had begun the attack alongside them had advanced several kilometres. In just over 3 hours, the enemy's front line had been overrun.

In total, the Allied forces captured 29,144 prisoners, 338 guns, and liberated 116 towns and villages. Ludendorff called 8 August "the black day of the German army".

When Sapper Harold Grant heard of the advance he wrote:

Great news ... Australians caught Fritz napping.

Many German weapons were captured in the advance. However, the advance was achieved at a high cost, with 21,243 Allied casualties, one-quarter of who were killed. The 31st advanced successfully with minimal casualties — morale was high.

AUGUST–SEPTEMBER 1918: THE ADVANCE CONTINUES

BATTLE OF PERONNE

The battalion pushed forward through former German lines.

Key actions included battles at Peronne (late August–early September), Mont St Quentin – though the 2nd Division took the lead, 5th Division supported the continuing advance & Epehy and the Outpost Line of the Hindenburg defences. The fighting became more mobile, with fewer trenches and more open warfare.

THE BATTLE OF PERONNE AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER 1918

Aka KOWN AS BATTLE OF MONT SAINT QUENTIN

Peronne, an ancient French town at the junction of the Somme and Cologne Rivers, was the objective of an intensive series of operations mounted by the Australian Corps between 29 August and 2 September 1918. Surrounded by sturdy 17th century ramparts, the town was the centrepiece of a heavily defended area that dominated the crossing points over the Somme, which turned south at Peronne, and thereby blocked an advance on the Hindenburg Line.
Advancing along the south bank of the Somme, the Australian Corps made its first attempt to take Peronne on 29 August. Neither the 2nd Division, before Peronne, nor the 5th Division, to the south of it, were able to secure a crossing point over the Somme and the town remained firmly in German hands.
The focus of the Australian operations was then switched to the north bank of the Somme. The 3rd Division, which had been advancing along the north bank, attacked and captured the village of Clery on 30 August, and advanced on the high ground to the north-east. The 2nd Division, and the 14th Brigade from the 5th, were withdrawn from their position in front of Peronne and crossed to the north bank of the Somme. Attacking around the bend in the river, the 2nd Division captured the heights of Mont St Quentin, which dominated the northern approaches to Peronne, over two days of intense fighting between 31 August and 1 September. This allowed the 14th Brigade to assault Peronne from the north on the morning of the second day. Meanwhile, troops of the 15th Brigade had forced a crossing of the Somme south of Peronne and begun working their way through the town. Peronne had to be cleared street by street, and it was not completely secured until the morning of 2 September.

LATE SEPTEMBER–OCTOBER 1918: BATTLE OF THE HINDENBURG LINE

The 31st helped breach the Hindenburg Line, particularly in operations around Bellicourt and Nauroy. These battles involved coordinated attacks with tanks and artillery. Casualties were heavy, but success here broke the backbone of German defences

THE HINDENBURG LINE SEPTEMBER 1918

The Hindenburg Line- the last and strongest of the German army's defence - consisted of three well-defended trench systems, established in 1917. Throughout September 1918, Australian forces had helped the British army to secure positions from which an attack on the Hindenburg Line could be launched. Planning began for a major attack at the end of the month. It was hoped that this attack would finally break the power of the German army. There were three attacks on the line, two in September and the last in October in which the 31^st helped

THIRD ATTACK OCTOBER 1918

Eventually, the Allies broke through the third and final stage of the Hindenburg Line, and the Germans were forced to fall back.

In this attack, troops captured the entrance to the St Quentin canal tunnel. 

OCTOBER–NOVEMBER 1918: FINAL OPERATIONS AND REST

After the Hindenburg Line was broken, the 31st took part in advancing through broken German rear areas. As German resistance collapsed, the AIF was eventually withdrawn from frontline operations in early October for rest and reorganisation.

WAR ENDED

The 31st Battalion spent the final weeks of the war out of the line, training and preparing for possible further action, but the Armistice came on 11 November 1918. After the Armistice, the Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes insisted Australian troops be repatriated (returned home) as quickly as possible. This logistical challenge was enormous with 135,000 troops brought home from Britain in 147 voyages, and 16,773 troops from the Middle East in 56 voyages, mostly on a first come, first go basis. There was a lack of suitable ships to transport personnel home and many had to wait several months before they were headed back to Australia

DETATCHED TO 6^TH DIVISION-BOXING

On 16th November 1918 he was detached to the 5th division on a Boxing Transfer. During World Wars I boxing bouts were organized among the troops to provide a form of recreation, to boost morale and to relieve tension.  Obviously, John must have done some experience in boxing and he spent several months in this pastime.

DEPOT HQ AFTER WAR ENDED

When the war ended soldiers would be on duties such as with Depot HQs which had shifted from training and deployment centres to processing, medical, administrative, and demobilisation hubs, ensuring a smooth return to civilian life for thousands of Australian soldiers. Their role was vital in transitioning from war to peace and laying the groundwork for veterans' support in the 1920s.

Depot HQ coordinated the gradual disbandment of wartime units and repatriation, and medical processing.

LEAVE IN PARIS DECEMBER 1918

John was given leave in Paris from 23^rd December to 8^th January 1919, then returned to Depot HQ

LEAVE IN LONDON JANUARY 1919
He was given leave in London from 17^th January to 3^rd February 1919 then back to Depot HQ

GOING HOME APRIL 1919

he returned to Australia on the Derbyshire on 29^th April 1919. He was discharged 21^st June 1919.

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

For his service, John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.

DEATH AND BURIAL

John died in Casino on 12 December, 1966, aged 76 & is buried in
Casino Lawn Cemetery

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