Tag Archives: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery

Joseph Raymond MCGUIRE

Per his military service record (regimental no. 4857), Joseph Ramond McGuire was born at Redfern, N.S.W. He gave his age as 33 years and 10 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as tinworker labourer. His description on his medical was height 5 feet 2 ½ inches tall, weight 126 lbs., with a dark complexion, brown eyes, and dark hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic.  He claimed to have two months previous service with the AIF from 3^rd of May 1915 to 8^th of July 1915, being discharged for bad conduct. He completed his medical on the 11^th of November 1915 at Ashfield and was attested on the 11^th of November 1915 at Ashfield.

He went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13^th Battalion.

On his embarkation roll his address at time of enrolment was 60 Hanover Street, Waterloo, N.S.W., and his next of kin is listed as his father, B. J. McGuire, 60 Hanover Street, Waterloo, N.S.W.

Along with many of the Coo-ees, Private McGuire departed Sydney on the HMAT Star of England on the 8^th March 1916. He arrived in Egypt on the 11^th April 1916. On the 19^th April 1916 he transferred to the 45^th Battalion in Egypt.

On the 2nd June 1916 Private McGuire left Alexandria aboard the Kinfauns Castle bound for France, arriving at Marseille on the 8^th June 1916.

On the 20^th July 1916 whilst the Battalion was conducting training at Berteacourt Les Dames Private McGuire was charged with drunkenness in billet and being absent from 2 p.m. Parade. He was awarded 2 days forfeiture of pay.

On the 12^th August 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, Private McGuire was wounded in action, receiving a shrapnel wound to his wrist whilst the 45^th Battalion was in action in the vicinity of Pozieres, France. He was evacuated to the 25^th General Hospital where he remained till the 17^th August. He was then sent to the 4^th Division Base Depot. On the 30^th September he was sent back to the 45^th Battalion, arriving on the 1^st October 1916, whilst the Battalion was manning the front line in the vicinity of Pozieres.

On the 27^th November 1916 the 45^th Battalion came out of the front line after being in action in the vicinity of Guedecourt. During this time the weather had been miserable with constant rain. Private McGuire was one of the casualties evacuated to the 36^th Casualty Clearing Station with trench feet. On the 29^th November 1916 he was sent to the 3^rd Stationary Hospital at Rouen, France. On the 4^th December 1916 he boarded the hospital ship Carisbrook Castle at Le Harve for evacuation to England. On the 5^th December 1916 he was admitted to the 3^rd London General Hospital at Wandsworth.

Private McGuire marched out of the 3^rd London General Hospital on the 20^th January 1917 and went on leave till the 5^th February 1917 when he reported to the 1^st Command Depot at Pernham Downs. On 8^th February 1917 he was transferred to the 4^th Command Depot at Wareham. On the 27^th March 1917 whilst still at the 4^th Command Depot Private McGuire was charged with neglecting to obey orders re bounds, and he was awarded forfeiture of 4 days pay and 7 days confined to barracks.

On the 15^th May 1917 Private McGuire was transferred to and taken on strength of the 61^st Infantry Battalion that had just been formed. Later that year the 61^st Battalion was disbanded. On the 12^th September 1917 Private McGuire departed Southampton, arriving at Le Harve on the 13^th September 1917 where he marched into the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot. On the 16^th September 1917 Private McGuire was charged with being absent from 9.30 p.m. till 10.50 p.m. He was awarded forfeiture of 2 days pay.

On the 21^st September 1917 Private McGuire left the 4^th Australian Division Base Depot to rejoin the 45^th Battalion. He was taken on strength on the 22^nd September whilst the Battalion was waiting in the vicinity of Steenvoorde, Belgium, to go into action.

From the 25^th September 1917 till the 1^st October 1917 the Battalion was involved in offensive operations in the vicinity of Westhoek Ridge, Belgium. On the 29^th September Private McGuire received a bomb wound to his right leg. Private McGuire was being evacuated to the 10^th Casualty Clearing Station when he succumbed to his wounds on the same day.

Private McGuire is buried at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Joseph Raymond McGuire’s headstone at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium (Photograph: H. Thompson 28/8/2014)