John Vaina WILENIUS

Regimental number18312
Place of birthHelsingfors, Finland
Other NamesJohan
ReligionProtestant
OccupationRigger
AddressSydney, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation29
Height5' 7.75"
Weight182 lbs
Next of kinFather, Jowel Wilenius, Helsingfors, Finland
Enlistment date19 February 1917
Rank on enlistmentSapper
Unit name1st Field Squadron Engineers, April 1917 Reinforcements
AWM Embarkation Roll number14/36/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A15 Port Sydney on 9 May 1917
Rank from Nominal RollDriver
Unit from Nominal Roll2nd Field Squadron Australian Mounted Division
FateReturned to Australia 25 July 1918
Discharge date1 October 1918
Other details

War service: Egypt, Palestine

Disembarked Suez, 20 June 1917. Marched in to Isolation Camp, Moascar, 20 June 1917. Marched out to Engineers Training Unit, Moascar, 25 July 1917. Found guilty, 27 August 1917, of when on Active Service being absent without leave from 2130, 25 August, to 0530, 27 August 1917: awarded 1 day's confined to camp; forfeited 3 days' pay. Marched out to 2nd Field Squadron Engineers, Moascar, 19 September 1917. Taken on strength, 2nd Field Squadron Engineers, Tel el Kebir, 22 September 1917, and to be Driver, 1 October 1917.

Found guilty, 31 December 1917, of (1) when on Active Service, neglecting to obey an order of his superior Officer (MO) in that he refused to travel on the GS Wagon; (2) Absenting himself without leave from 1800, 28 December, to 0930, 29 December 1917: awarded loss of 15 days' pay.

Admitted to 75th Casualty Clearing Station, 1 January 1918 (cellulitis, leg); transferred to 35th Casualty Clearing Station, 3 January 1918; to 43rd Stationary Hospital, 4 January 1918; to 44th Stationary Hospital, Kantara, 12 January 1918; to 31st General Hospital, Port Said, 15 January 1918; discharged to duty, 25 January 1918.

Tried by Field General Court Martial, Moascar, of (1) When on Active Service absenting himself without leave in that he at 31st General Hospital, Port Said, on 19.1.18 having been refused leave absented himself from 2130 19.1.18 and remained absent until arrested in Port Said about 1100 on 20.1.18; (2) When on Active Service disobeying a lawful commandgiven by his superior officer in that he in Arab Town, Port Said, on 20.1.18 when ordered by Sgt McCristal to leave did not do so; (3) Resisting an escort whose duty it was to apprehend him in that he in Arab Town, Port Said, on 20.1.18 when apprehended by Sgt. McCristal and L/Cpl. Capell resisted by kicking and struggling. Pleaded not guilty to all charges; found guilty: awarded 90 days' Field Punishment No. 2; forfeited a total of 102 days' pay @ 5/- day (90 days' FP No. 2, 10 days while awaiting trial; 2 days under RW): total - 25 pounds ten shillings.

Admitted to No. 2 Australian Stationary Hospital, Moascar, 9 February 1918 (disseminated sclerosis); transferred to 14th Australian General Hospital, Port Said, 27 March 1918; to Rest Camp, 11 May 1918.

Commenced return to Australia from Suez on board 'Port Darwin', 12 July 1918; disembarked Sydney, 17 August 1918; discharged (medically unfit: peripheral neuritis following beri beri-'diagnosis uncertain'), 1 October 1918.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal