John Edward Leslie HOURIGAN

John Edward Leslie HOURIGAN

Corporal J. E. L. Hourigan (Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate 12/8/1916)

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4787), John Edward Leslie Hourigan was born at Parramatta, N.S.W. He gave his age as 21 years and 1 month, his marital status as single, and his occupation as carter. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 7 inches tall, weight 166 lbs., with a fair complexion, blue eyes, and fair hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. He claimed to have 4 years U. T. [universal training] experience and was still serving.

“Jack” Hourigan was reported in The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate as enlisting with the Coo-ees at Parramatta.[1] He completed his medical on the 11^th November 1915 at Parramatta, and was attested by Lieutenant R. Howe at Parramatta on the 11^th November 1915.

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion. His service record shows he was made Acting Corporal from 11^th November 1915.

He was reported in The Farmer and Settler on 5^th January 1916 as being one of the Corporals in E company from the “Coo-ees” column, and it was noted that ‘as the “Coo-ees” are reinforcements for a battalion already at the front, and not part of a new battalion, these ranks may be only temporary’.[2]

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was 415 Church Street, Parramatta, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, J. Hourigan, at the same address.

On 8^th March 1916 Acting Corporal Hourigan departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England, along with many of the other Coo-ees, as part of the 15^th reinforcements for the 13^th Battalion. He arrived in Egypt on 11^th April 1916.

On 19^th April 1916, he was transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt,  along with some of the other Coo-ees.

On 29^th May 1915 his promotion to Corporal was confirmed.

On 2^nd June 1916 Corporal Hourigan left Alexandria aboard the transport Kinfauns Castle bound for France with other members of the 45^th Battalion, arriving at Marseilles on 8^th June 1916.

On 8^th July 1916 the 45^th Battalion was in the front line for the first time in the vicinity of Fleurbaix, France, when Corporal Hourigan was wounded in action, receiving a severe gunshot wound to his scalp. He was evacuated to the 4^th Australian Field Ambulance then moved back to the 8^th Casualty Clearing Station on 9^th July 1916.

On 21^st July 1916 he was sent to the 30^th General Hospital at Calais in France. On 22^nd July he was placed aboard the Hospital Ship Brighton for evacuation to England. He was admitted to the Wharncliffe War Hospital at Sheffield in England on 23^rd July 1916.

On 21^st September 1916 Corporal Hourigan was transferred to the 1^st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield, England.

On 23^rd September 1916 he was discharged from hospital, and marched into the Number 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, England.

On 14^th October 1916 he was charge with overstaying leave from 3 p.m. on 11^th October until 8 p.m. on 13^th October 1916. He was reprimanded by the Colonel, and forfeited 3 days pay.

Corporal Hourigan was transferred to the Infantry Draft Depot at Pernham Downs in England on 24^th January 1917.

On 13^th March 1917 Corporal Hourigan departed Folkestone bound for France. He arrived at the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples in France on 14^th March 1917. Corporal Hourigan rejoined the 45^th Battalion on 29^th March 1917 when it was training in the vicinity of Bapaume, France.

In October 1917 Corporal Hourigan was sent to the Lieutenants Training School at the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve in France, however on 15^th October 1917 he was charged with absenting himself from 10 p.m. on 13^th October until 9.20 p.m. on 14^th October 1917. He was reprimanded by the Commanding Officer, fined 2 days pay, and sent back to the 45^th Battalion on 22^nd October 1917.

On 21^st January 1918 Corporal Hourigan went on 14 days leave to England.

He rejoined the Battalion on 9^th February 1918 when it was being relieved from the front line in the vicinity of Hollebeke in Belgium.

On 25^th March 1918 the 45^th Battalion was moving by motor buses from Belgium to the Somme battlefield in France, when Corporal Hourigan sprained his left ankle.[3] He was evacuated to the 12^th Australian Field Ambulance, then moved back to the 1^st Australian Casualty Clearing Station, then placed aboard the 20^th Ambulance Train, where he was conveyed to the 9^th Canadian Stationary Hospital, being admitted on 26^th March 1918.

On 29^th March 1918 he was sent to the 7^th Convalescent Depot at Boulogne, France.

On 10^th April 1918 he was moved to the 10^th Convalescent Depot.

On 18^th April 1918 he marched into the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve, France.

Corporal Hourigan rejoined the 45^th Battalion on 13^th May 1918 when it was in action in the vicinity of Villers Brettoneux, France.

On 6^th November 1918 Corporal Hourigan was promoted to Sergeant.

Following the Armistice, on 19^th November 1918 Sergeant Hourigan went on leave to England. He rejoined the 45^th Battalion on 6^th December 1918.

On 21^st April 1919 Sergeant Hourigan marched into the Australian Base Depot at Le Harve to commence his return to Australia. He left for England the next day, on 22^nd April 1919.

On 11^th May 1919 Sergeant Hourigan departed England aboard the Transport Borda bound for Australia.

He arrived in Australia on 28^th June 1919, and was discharged Termination of period of Enlistment on 12^th August 1919.

[1] ‘Of the Boys’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 7 June 1919, p. 8, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86115560

[2] ‘Route Marches. Gathering of the Clans. The “Cooees”winning praise in camp’, The Farmer and Settler, 5 January 1916, p. 3, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article116676486

[3] Lee, J. E., The chronicle of the 45^th Battalion A.I.F., East Sussex : The Naval & Military Press Ltd, [2009], p. 58.