John Gillen

John Gillen was born in Greencastle, Donegal, Ireland and came to Australia when his family emigrated.

At enlistment John was single, 33 years old, worked as a labourer and lived at Dapto, N.S.W.  He embarked to Rabaul (Service No 942) for service with the Naval and Military Tropical Force, H Company in August 1914. He contracted Malaria while in New Guinea and was returned to Australia in February 1915.

John re-enlisted (Service No 2062) on 17th April 1915 and embarked with 6th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement.  After arriving in Egypt he served with 6th Battalion at Gallipoli from 17th June 1915 until 25th August when he was admitted to hospital with enteritis.  John did not return to duty until 11th March 1916.

He arrived in France on 2nd April 1916 and saw service with 6th Battalion, C Company until 18th August 1916 when he was wounded in action.  John was evacuated to hospital for treatment of gun shot wounds to his upper extremities.

On 1st January 1917 he was detached to the Anzac Provost Corps and served with them until he was returned to Australia in February 1918.

While on active service in Europe he suffered bouts of malaria from his Rabaul service.

John was discharged from the AIF medically unfit on 14th June 1918.

In 1918 he married Ethel Shearin.

John died in 1926.

John's brother Hugh Gillen (Service No 1471) also served.