John Gillon Parker

John Parker (Service No 229) was born in Dumferline, Scotland and came to Australia after his first wife died. In 1915 he married Marion Campbell in Wollongong, NSW. 

At enlistment John was 31 years old, worked as a miner and lived in Balgownie, NSW.  He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A38 Ulysses with Mining Corps 1 on 20th February 1916. 

John arrived in France on 5th May 1916 and joined the Electrical and Mechanical Boring Unit on 30th September 1916. 

John was recommended for the Military Medal (MM) on 23rd September 1917 and the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) on 18th March 1918.

The MSM was awarded on 25th July 1918.  The citation for the MSM reads:  'For great gallantry and devotion to duty in that owing to the breakdown of the Givenchy Engine he remained continuously on the work, assisted to install new plant under shell fire and kept the mile of cable serving the Givenchy mines, repaired through frequently being broken by shell fire thereby preventing the water in the mine system from rising above 2' 6" . During the 21 months at this place he has shown untiring energy remaining long periods in the line without relief when shelling has caused excessive cable troubles and has shown no hesitation in making repairs during enemy shelling.'  Commonwealth Gazette No 110.

On 31st March 1918 John was wounded in action and admitted to hospital for treatment of a gun shot wound to his right thigh.  John returned to duty on 30th July 1918 and served until the end of the war.

John was returned to Australia in July 1919.  He and Marion remained in the Illawarra and raised 6 children.

John died in 1975 and is buried in wollongong Cemetery.

John's service is commemorated on the Balgownie War Memorial 1914-1918 & the Balgownie Presbyterian Church Honour Roll.