John Jardine Harkness

John Harkness (Service No 961) was born in Hawick, Roxburgh, Scotland and came to Australia with his family in September 1911.

In 1912 John married Agnes Elliott in Victoria.

When John enlisted at the age of 25, he and Agnes had one son - the couple eventually had seven children - and the family lived at 'Whiteheath', Port Kembla; John was employed as a butcher and had served 3 years in the Militia.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A23 Suffolk with F Company, 2nd Battalion, on 18th October 1914.  The troops arrived in Egypt in December 1914 and after training John was sent to Gallipoli on 25th April 1915.

On 7th May 1915 John was promoted to Lance Corporal, then on 6th August 1915 promoted to Corporal, in the field.

He returned to Egypt on 20th December 1915.  On 15th February 1916 he was promoted to Sergeant.

John was then sent on to France, arriving on 28th March 1916.  He saw service on the Western Front and spent time as the Company Quartermaster Sergeant before being promoted to Company Sergeant Major on 7th August 1916.

On 8th September 1917 John was accidentally wounded with a gun shot wound to his arm and evacuated to England for treatment.

He was returned to Australia in February 1918 and discharged medically unfit on 21st May 1918.

John received two Mention in despatch Awards:  13th November 1916 and  4th January 1917,  as well as being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on 3rd June 1917.

John was recommended for the Military Cross and Military Medal although these were not awarded.

John died in Wollongong, N.S.W. in 1952 and is buried in Woronora Cemetery.