The AIF Project

John GUNSON

Regimental number848
Place of birthCranna Nenagh, Co Tipperary, Ireland
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationMill hand
AddressBridgetown, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation25
Height5' 8"
Weight147 lbs
Next of kinFather, William Gunson, Cranna Nenagh, Co Tipperary, Ireland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date16 March 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll10 March 1915
Place of enlistmentBridgetown, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name28th Battalion, A Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/45/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia,
30 Officers and 982 Other Ranks embarked at Fremantle on HMAT A11 'Ascanius' on 29 June 1915; 12 others embarked at Fremantle on HMAT A36 'Thirty-Six' on 12 July 1916. From Embarkation Records it is not possible to distinguish the latter 12.
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll28th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 24 September 1919
Discharge date2 January 1920
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria with 28th Bn to join Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 4 September 1915. Admitted to 13th Casualty Clearing Station, 5 November 1915 (diarrhoea); transferred to HS 'Galeka', 16 November 1915; to Malta, 24 November 1915, and admitted to Interfara Hospital. Embarked on board HS 'Valdivia', 16 January 1916; disembarked Alexandria, 21 January 1916; admitted to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis, 21 January 1916 (enteric). Transferred to No 2 Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis, 1 February 1916.

Commenced return to Australia from Suez on board HT 'Nestor', 8 February 1916 (debility and enteric).

Re-embarked Fremantle, 22 September 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 21 November 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 21 December 1916; taken on strength, 28th Bn, 18 January 1917.

Admitted to 7th Australian Field Ambulance, 22 March 1917 (septic hand); transferred to No 2 Divisional Rest Station, 23 March 1917; discharged to duty and rejoined Bn, 3 April 1917.

Wounded in action, 3 May 1917 (gun shot wound, heel), and admitted to 5th Australian Field Ambulance; transferred same day to 3rd Casualty Clearing Station; to Ambulance Train and admitted to No 2 General Hospital, Rouen, 4 May 1917; to No 2 Convalescent Depot, Rouen, 10 May 1917; to No 2 Australian Divisional Base Depot, Etaples, 27 May 1917; rejoined Bn, 29 May 1917.

On leave to Paris, 30 December 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 8 January 1918. On leave to England, 23 February 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 12 March 1918.

Marched in to No 1 Command Depot, England, from France, 26 March 1919.

Granted leave with pay and subsistence for Non-Military Employment, 10 June-10 September 1919: to attend a course in mixed farming with Mr Fleming, Burnhill Estate, Durham [B103 states 'Attending J. Watt, Priory Farm, Armath, Cumberland'].

While on NME applied, 10 September 1916, for discharge in the United Kingdom because 'both my parents are living in Ireland and are old and in failing health and they have asked me to get my discharge here if possible, they are practically dependent on me ? ' Request withdrawn at his request, 16 September 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Mahana', 25 September 1919; disembarked Fremantle, 3 November 1919; discharged, Perth, 2 January 1920.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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