The AIF Project

John Joseph McGOWAN

Regimental number2943
Place of birthSligo, Ireland
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationLabourer
AddressBrisbane, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation33
Height5' 6.5"
Weight140 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Sarah McGowan, Beaudesert, Queensland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date5 September 1916
Place of enlistmentBrisbane, Queensland
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name49th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/66/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A74 Marathon on 27 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll49th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 9 December 1918
Medals

Military Medal

'In the operation on 5th April, 1918, near DERNANCOURT South West of ALBERT this soldier was the only one of his team who reached the final position. Immediately on arrival there, he put his gun into position and with commendable bravery and coolness worked it single-handed in the face of fierce enemy Machine Gun and Rifle fire. He and his gun were twice buried. When he was dug out, he secured his gun, cleaned it, and continued to work it. A great amount of credit is due to this soldier for his undoubted courage, coolness and good spirits which went far towards cheering up all those who came into contact with him.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 191
Date: 12 December 1918

Discharge date18 March 1919
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Brisbane, 27 October 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 9 January 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 9 May 1917; taken on strength, 49th Bn, 13 May 1917.

Wounded in action, 29 September 1917 (gun shot wound, right elbow), and admitted to 12th Casualty Clearing Station; transferred same day to 22nd General Hospital, Camiers; to 6th General Hospital, Rouen, 3 October 1917; to 2nd Convalescent Depot, 9 October 1917; to 4th Australian Division Base Depot, 27 October 1917; rejoined unit, in the field, 13 November 1917.

On leave to England, 16 February 1918; rejoined unit from leave, 1 March 1918.

Awarded Military Medal.

Tried by Field General Court Martial, 23 July 1918, on charge of deserting His Majesty's Services from 8 pm, 5 July, until reporting back on 9 July 1918: found guilty: awarded 2 years' imprisonment with hard labour. Sentence suspended, 4 August 1918.

Admitted to 13th Australian Field Ambulance, 11 October 1918; transferred to 3rd Australian General Hospital, 13 October 1918; to Ambulance Train No 26, 21 October 1918; to England, 22 October 1918, and admitted to Norfolk & Norwich Hospital, 22 October 1918 (broncho-pneumonia); to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 19 November 1918; discharged to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 21 November 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Argyllshire', 9 December 1918; disembarked Melbourne, 1 February 1919, for onward travel to Brisbane; discharged, Brisbane, 18 March 1919.

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, McGOWAN John Joseph

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