John Wilson Riordan

First Name: 
John
Middle Name: 
Wilson
Last Name: 
Riordan
Date of Birth: 
Sunday, July 12, 1891
Mother's Name: 
Annie (nee Creighton)
Father's Name: 
Jeremiah Riordan
Date Enlisted: 
Tuesday, October 27, 1914
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Sergeant
Unit: 
13th Battalion
Company: 
A Company
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
D C M
1914/1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Friday, August 11, 1916
Place of Death: 
France
Cause of Death: 
Killed in action
Details: 

John Riordan was a 23 year old single shunter from Bellambi when he enlisted. He was one of 11 children.
He embarked on HMAT A38 Ulysses on 22nd December 1914 with H Company, 13th Battalion. After training in Egypt he was sent to Gallipoli arriving on 25th April. John survived Gallipoli and was posted to the Western Front after being promoted to Sergeant on 5th March 1916.

John served with A Company but while engaged in the Somme battles he was killed in action. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneaux.

On the 19th April 1917 issue of the Government gazette his D C M award was published. The award was granted on 25th October 1916. The citation gives no date or place but reads as follows:
Distinguished Conduct Medal
'For conspicuous gallantry in action. During an advance in a dense fog a doubtful order to retire was passed down, but he immediately countermanded the order, and by his coolness and fine example held his men fast.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62; Date: 19 April 1917

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, RIORDAN JOHN WILSON