John Westlake HUMPHREYS

Regimental number340
ReligionProtestant
OccupationPostal employee
AddressRifle Range, Ballarat East, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Next of kinFather, Humphreys, same address
Previous military service18th Australian Army Service Corps
Enlistment date20 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentCorporal
Unit nameDivisional Train, No 1 Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number25/14/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A24 Benalla on 19 October 1914
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board Transport A19 Afric on 18 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal Roll1st Division Train
FateReturned to Australia 20 October 1918
Medals

Military Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst engaged in forward transport work near ANZAC RIDGE east of YPRES on 13th October, 1917. Sgt. HUMPHRIES and L/Cpl. HALL were the N.C.O.s. in charge of a convoy of 30 G.S. Wagons from the Divisional Train employed in conveying sleepers for road work from HELLFIRE CORNER to ANZAC. On arrival at ANZAC an unusual amount of enemy shelling was experienced and the fatigue party had taken over. To halt the convoy at destination until the fatigue party arrived would have caused great congestion in the rear of the column with the result of blocking all traffic and probably heavy casualties. Sgt. HUMPHRIES and L/Cpl. HALL with one Driver immediately acted with marked initative and under heavy shell fire worked hard personally unloading the wagons of their heavy beech sleepers and directing them to safety and thus relieving the congestion on the road and probably heavy casualties. Their disregard for personal safety and marked initiative set a splendid example to all.'