John William THOMPSON

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4609), John William Thompson was born at Camperdown, Sydney, N.S.W. He gave his age as 25 years and 4 months, his marital status as single and his occupation as laborer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 2 5/8 inches tall, weight 8 stone 11 lbs., with a dark complexion, brown eyes, and dark brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. He claimed that he had no previous military experience. He completed his medical on the 24^th October 1915 at Orange, and was attested at Orange by Captain Nicholas on the 24^th October 1915.

He was named as one of the recruits who joined the Coo-ees at Orange in the Leader.[1]

After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was 4 Raglan Street, Darlington, Sydney, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, J. W. Thompson, Botany, Sydney, N.S.W..

On 16^th February 1916 Private Thompson was one of the first group of Coo-ees to embark overseas, and departed Sydney on the HMAT Ballarat A70 as 14^th reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

HMAT Ballarat A70, 18/2/1916. Photograph from the AWM Collection PB0182.

During the voyage, Private Thompson (along with several other Coo-ees on the ship) was charged with being absent without leave from on 8^th March 1916 whilst at Colombo, Ceylon. He was fined 1 pound.

The HMAT Ballarat A70 arrived in Egypt on 22^nd March 1916.

On 1^st April 1916 John William Thompson was transferred to the 54^th Battalion at Ferry Post.

On 3^rd April 1916 Private Thompson was sent to the 15^th Australian Field Ambulance sick. He was moved back to the 2^nd Casualty Clearing Station later that day. He was placed aboard the 4^th Hospital Train and moved to the 1^st Australian Stationary Hospital at Ismalia in Egypt. He was transferred to the 1^st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Abbassia in Egypt on 4^th April 1916. He was discharged from hospital for duty on 6^th June 1916.

On 6^th August 1916 Private Thompson left Alexandria bound for England. He arrived later that month.

On 31^st August 1916 Private Thompson was sent to the Fargo Military Hospital ill with an unstated condition. He was discharged and marched into the 4^th Training Battalion at Rollerstone in England on 5^th September 1916.

On 2^nd November 1916 Private Thompson departed Folkestone, England, aboard the Transport Golden Eagle bound for France. He then marched into the 5^th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples, France the next day. He was taken on strength of the 54^th Battalion on 22^nd November 1916.

On 8^th May 1917 Private Thompson was sent to the 5^th Australian Field Ambulance suffering from the effects of an inoculation. He was moved back to the 5^th Division Rest Station and rejoined the Battalion on 12^th May 1917.

On 1^st June 1917 Private Thompson was sent to the 6^th Field Ambulance ill with “soft sore”. He was moved back to the 5^th Division Rest Station later that day. On 6^th June 1917 he was transferred to the 39^th General Hospital. He was discharged on 22^nd June 1917 and sent to the 5^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve, France. He rejoined the 54^th Battalion on 26^th August 1917.

On 2^nd October 1917 Private Thompson went on leave to England. Whilst in England he was charged with being absent without leave from 8^th October 1917 till 15^th October 1917. He was fined 22 days pay.

Private Thompson returned from leave and rejoined his unit on 26^th October 1917.

On 30^th November 1917 Private Thompson was charged with being absent without leave from 11^th November 1917 till 25^th November 1917. He was awarded 28 days field punishment number 2.

On 5^th January 1918 Private Thompson was charged with being absent without leave from 0900 on 3^rd January 1917 till 2150 on 3^rd January 1918. He was awarded 7 days field punishment number 2.

On 11^th January 1918 Private Thompson was sent to the 14^th Field Ambulance sick and he was transferred to the 39^th General Hospital. He was discharged on 26^th January 1918 and sent to the 5^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve, France. He rejoined the Battalion on 20^th February 1918.

On 11^th April 1918 Private Thompson was wounded in action, receiving a shrapnel wound to his left hand. He was sent to a Field Ambulance then moved back to a casualty clearing station, then on 12^th April 1918 he was admitted to the 12^th General Hospital at Rouen, France. He was discharged on 13^th April 1918 and sent to the 5^th Australian Division Base Depot at Le Harve, France. He rejoined the 54^th Battalion on 10^th June 1918.

On 25^th June 1918 Private Thompson was sent to the 5^th Army School of Cookery. On 11^th July 1918 he was sent to the Australian Division Base Depot, then on 31^st July 1918 he rejoined his unit.

On 21^st August 1918 he was received by Assistant Provost Marshal Havre from Paris. On 23^rd August 1918 he was placed in custody pending disposal. On 26^th August 1918 Private Thompson was charged with being absent without leave from the 0730 on 18^th August 1918 till 2240 on 20^th August 1918. He was awarded 14 days field punishment number 2.

On 29^th September 1918 Private Thompson was wounded in action for the second time, receiving a gunshot wound to his left hand. He was sent to a Field Ambulance then moved back to the 30th Casualty Clearing Station. On 1^st October 1918 he was admitted to the 4^th General Hospital.

On 12^th October 1918 he was placed aboard a Hospital Ship for evacuation to England. He was admitted to the Ontario Military Hospital at Orplington, England later that day.

Whilst in hospital Private Thompson was charged with being absent without leave from 2100 on 21^st October 1918 till 1900 on 22^nd October 1918. He was fined 1 days pay.

He was discharged from hospital on 29^th October 1918 and granted leave to report to the Number 4 Command Depot at Hurdcott in England on 12^th November 1918.

On 16^th November 1918 Private Thompson was charged with being absent without leave from 1030 on 13^th November 1918 till 1000 on 16^th November 1918. He was fined 3 days pay.

On 18^th November he marched into No. 4 Command Depot at Hurdcott from Army Headquarters in London ex furlough.

On 2^nd December 1918 Private Thompson marched into the Australian Army Medical Corps Training Depot.

Private Thompson departed England on 5^th January 1919 for return to Australia aboard the Transport Kanowna. He disembarked in Sydney on 14^th March 1919. He was discharged at Sydney medically unfit with amputated forefinger left hand, gunshot wound, on 5^th May 1919.

[1] ‘The Recruits’, Leader, 25 October 1915, p. 4, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article117842599’