John McPherson

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 06/12/2017 - 12:34

First Name:

John

Last Name:

McPherson

Mother's Name:

Isabella McPherson

Father's Name:

John McPherson

Date Enlisted:

Monday, March 8, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

private

Rank at Discharge:

Sergeant

Unit:

17th Battalion

Company:

B Company

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Tuesday, May 8, 1917

Place of Death:

France

Cause of Death:

Died as a result of Wounds

Details:

John McPherson (Service no 746) was born in Nairn, Scotland in 1888.

At the time of enlistment, John was single, 27 years of age, employed as a labourer, lived in Wollongong, had served 1 year with the Cameron Highlanders and 2 years with the Horse Artillery Territorials before coming to Australia.

John embarked on HMAT A32 - Themistocles with the 17th Battalion, B Company on 12 May 1915. He arrived in Egypt and landed at Gallipoli, Turkey on 16 August 1915.

John was wounded in action on 13 September 1915 and treated for scalp and hand wounds. He returned to duty on 23 October 1915 and remained with the Battalion and arrived in France on 23 March 1916. He served on the Somme, France and was first promoted to Corporal on 1 November 1916 and then Sergeant on 8 February 1917.

On 15 April 1917, John was wounded in action and evacuated to hospital for treatment of a serious gun shot wound to his head. He died from his wounds on 8 May 1917 -4pm at the 12th General Hospital.

He is buried in St Sever Cemetery, Extension Block P, Plot II, Row L, Grave 12a.

John is remembered on the Wollongong Memorial.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, MCPHERSON J