John Beveridge BUXTON
Private Jack Buxton (Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 5/8/1916)
Per his military service record (regimental no. 4737), John Beveridge Buxton was born at Five Dock, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 18 years and 7 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 8 ½ inches tall, weight 135 lbs., with a fair complexion, hazel eyes, and dark brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had 4 years universal military training [cadets]as previous military service.
His father George Buxton signed to give his consent on his initial Application to Enlist in the Australian Imperial Force form dated 11th November 1915. He completed his medical examination at Parramatta on 11th November 1915. He was attested by Lieutenant R. Howe at Parramatta on 11th November 1915.
After a successful recruiting meeting the evening before, where 41 men had offered themselves as recruits, the Coo-ees left Parramatta on the morning of 11th November 1915, with an official count of 27 new recruits from that town.[2]
After completing the Coo-ee March Private Buxton went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13th Battalion.
The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate noted that Buxton was one of the local soldiers leaving with the Coo-ees ‘for the front’ on 8th March 1916.[3]
On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was his address was Royal Hotel, Church Street, Parramatta.[4] His next of kin was listed as his father, G. Buxton, at the same address. (His father George Buxton was the licencee of the Royal Hotel at Parramatta).[5]
On 8th March 1916 Private Buxton departed Sydney on the HMAT A15 Star of England along with many of the other Coo-ees.
Troopship HMAT A15 Star of England. Australian War Memorial Collection AWM H17014.
He arrived in Egypt on the 11th April 1916.
On 16th April 1916 he transferred to the 5th Division Cyclist Company at Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt.
On 15th June 1916 a Courts Martial was held at Ismailia, Egypt, where Private Buxton was charged with stealing and receiving stolen goods. Private Buxton was found not guilty of stealing but found guilty of receiving stolen property. He was sentenced to 90 days Field Punishment No. 2 which was commuted to 40 days Field Punishment No. 2.
On 17th June 1916 Private Buxton left Alexandria on a transport ship bound for France. He arrived at Marseilles on 25th June 1916.
The 5th Division Cyclist Company was moved into the 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion upon it’s formation in July 1916.
On 9th October 1916 Private Buxton was detached for duty with the Town Major at Armentieres. He re-joined his unit on 29th May 1917.
On 27th June 1917 he was detached to the Lewis Gun School. He re-joined his unit in the field on 23rd July 1917.
The next day, on 24th July 1917, Private Buxton went on leave. He returned to the 2nd ANZAC Cyclist Battalion on 9th August 1917.
On 8th September 1917 he was detached to Lewis Gun Section. He re-joined his unit from the Lewis Gun Section on 20th September 1917.
On 20th November 1917 he was detached for duty with 3rd Otago Battalion. He returned to his unit on 25th November 1917.
On 27th November 1917 he was charged with being absent without leave from a 2 a.m. working party on 25th November 1917. He was awarded 7 days Field Punishment No. 2.
On 16th January 1918 Private Buxton was taken on strength of the Australian Corps Cyclist Battalion from 22nd Corps Cyclist Battalion (late 2nd Anzac Cyclist Battalion).
On 23rd February 1918 Private Buxton was detached for duty with the 7th Field Company Australian Engineers.
On 19th March 1918 he was transferred to the 7th Field Company Australian Engineers in Belgium, and his rank changed from Private to Sapper.
On 13th June 1918 Sapper Buxton was evacuated to the 5th Australian Field Ambulance in France sick. He was sent back to the 61st Casualty Clearing Station. On 15th June 1918 he was admitted to the 55th General Hospital at Boulogne, France. On 19th June 1918 he was transferred to the 10th Convalescent Depot at Boulogne.
On 1st July 1918 he was moved to the Australian Convalescent Depot at Le Harve, France, where he was admitted on 2nd July 1918. He was discharged on 1st August 1918, and marched into the Australian General Base Depot at Le Harve.
Sapper Buxton re-joined his unit in France on 8th August 1918.
On 31st August 1918 he was granted leave to England.
Sapper Buxton re-joined the 7th Field Company Engineers in France on 19th September 1918. Upon returning he was charged with overstaying his leave to England by three days, from 14th to 17th September 1918. He was awarded 12 days Field Punishment No. 2 and fined 15 days pay.
On 15th December 1918 Sapper Buxton was detached for duty with the 2nd Australian Motor Transport Company.
He re-joined the 7th Field Company Engineers in France on 19th January 1919.
On 12th March 1919 Sapper Buxton marched in to the Australian General Base Depot at Le Harve, France.
On 15th March 1919 he was admitted to the 39th General Hospital at Le Havre with scabies. He was discharged on 20th March 1919.
On 25th March 1919 Sapper Buxton departed France bound for England. The next day he marched into No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny, England.
On 15th May 1919 Sapper Buxton departed England aboard the H.T. Ypiringa, bound for Australia.
On 20th May 1919 he was admitted to the ship’s hospital suffering from scabies. He was discharged from the ship’s hospital on 30th May 1919.
Sapper Buxton arrived in Sydney on 6th July 1919.
He was discharged medically unfit on 11th September 1919.
[1] NAA B2455, BUXTON J B
[2] THE PROCESSION. (1915, November 13). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 – 1950), p. 11. Retrieved December 30, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86101767
[3] WAR ITEMS.The “Coo-ees” off. (1916, March 8). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 – 1950), p. 2. Retrieved March 12, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86082019
[4] Australia War Memorial. First World War Embarkation Roll, John Beveridge Buxton, HMAT Star of England A15, 8th March 1916.
[5] Parramatta Licensing Court (1913, December 20). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 – 1950), p. 4. Retrieved June 4, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article85974015
1915 Coo-ee March 