Jack Henry HUNT

Jack Henry HUNT

Jack Hunt, Lemaire Studios, Military Camp, Liverpool. Photograph courtesy of Iain and Judy Macdonald.

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4806), Jack Henry Hunt was born at Coonabarabran, N.S.W. [1] He gave his age as 18 years and 2 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as station hand. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 10 ½ inches tall, weight 10 stone 7 lbs., with a dark complexion, hazel eyes, and dark hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. He claimed that he had no previous military service. Along with his brother William Laurence Hunt, he completed his medical on the 9^th October 1915 at Gilgandra, and was attested at Gilgandra on the same day by Captain Nicholas – the day before the commencement of the Coo-ee March. His service record included a consent form signed by his father C. H. Hunt.

After completing the march he went to Liverpool Camp, together with his father Charles Henry Hunt (who had caught up with the Coo-ees between Bathurst and Yetholme) and brother William Laurence Hunt, as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

At Liverpool on the 3^rd February 1916, Private Hunt was charged with being absent from Parade on 2^nd February 1916.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was Wingadee, Coonamble, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as sister, Miss P. O. Hunt, St. Patrick’s Convent, Dubbo, N.S.W.

On 8^th March 1916 Private Hunt, along with his father and brother, and many of the other Coo-ees, departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, and arrived in Egypt on the 11^th April 1916.

He was admitted to No. 2 Australian Stationary Hospital with mumps at Tel el Kebir on 18^th April 1916.

On the 20^th May 1916 he was transferred to the 45^th Battalion.

On the 7^th June 1916 Private Hunt left Alexandria aboard the Transport Huntspill bound for France, arriving at Marseilles on the 14^th June 1916.

Private Hunt served with the 45^th Battalion through its first action at Fleurbaix, France in July 1916, then through the fighting around Pozieres in August 1916.

On the 7^th September 1916 Private Hunt was with the 45^th Battalion at Beauval, France, refitting and reorganising. On this day Private Hunt was charged with Eating Reserve Iron Ration without permission (on the same day his brother William Laurence Hunt was charged for the same offence). He was awarded Forfeiture of One Day’s pay.

On the 28^th October 1916 the 45^th Battalion was at Brucamps, France conducting training Private Hunt was sent to hospital sick. It is not indicated how long he was away for but it is not believed to have been long.

On the 12^th November 1916 the 45^th Battalion was at Bernafay Wood south of Longuveal, France preparing to go to the front when Private Hunt was evacuated to the 15^th Australian Field Ambulance with a sprained ankle. Private Hunt rejoined the Battalion when it was holding the front line in front of the village of Gudecourt, France on the 24^th November 1916.

On the 27^th February 1917 the 45^th Battalion was marching from Mamentz to Beaucourt Camp when Private Hunt was evacuated to the 45^th Casualty Clearing Station suffering from Trench Feet. On the 28^th of February 1917 he was placed aboard the 9^th Ambulance Train and moved back to the 3^rd Canadian General Hospital at Bolougne, France.

On the 2^nd March 1917 Private Hunt was evacuated to England aboard the Hospital Ship Aberdonian sailing from Bologne, France. On the 3^rd March 1917 he was admitted to the Voluntary Aid Hospital at Cheltenham, England with trench feet (severe). He was later transferred to the 2^nd Southern General Hospital where the third toe of his right foot was amputated.

On the 8^th August 1917 Private Hunt was transferred to the 3^rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford, England. On the 11^th August 1917 Private Hunt was granted leave to report to the Number Two Command Depot at Weymouth, England on the 25^th of August 1917.

On the 19^th October 1917 Private Hunt began his return to Australia departing England on board the H.T. Port Lyttleton. He arrived in Australia on the 16^th December 1917, and was discharged as medically unfit on the 28^th January 1918.

[1] NAA: B2455, HUNT J H 4806