John Albert Deere

John Deere (Service No 16531) was born in Glamorgan, Wales around 1880.  He served 12 years with the Royal Engineers in England and South Africa from 1901 until 1913 before coming to Australia.

John enlisted in Bulli, N.S.W. when he was 35 years old.  John was married & worked as an engine driver and plumber, and the family lived at nearby Woonona. 

John served in Australia as Company Sergeant Major at Moore Park, Sydney before he reverted to ranks.  He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A67 Orsova with the December 1916 Reinforcements on 2nd December 1916. 

After arriving in England on 17th February 1917, John was assigned to the 1st Field Engineers in France on 24th May 1917.

In August 1917 he received word that his wife Hannah had died on 4th August 1917 and that their 2 young children had been left with no-one to care for them.

On 30th September 1917, John was promoted to Lance Corporal.

On 31st October 1917 John was awarded the Military Medal on 31st October 1917.  The recommendation for his Military Medal which was awarded on 9th October 1917 states: 

"During the operations east of YPRES on 4th October 1917, he was employed on the construction of a strong point on BECELAERE Ridge. On his Section Officer becoming a casualty he put forward great efforts and was of very great assistance to his senior N.C.O. in supervising the work and keeping his men under perfect control, notwithstanding the fact that the post came under the enemy's machine gun fire. With great disregard for his own personal safety he several times ran out into the open to render first aid to members of his section who had become casualties and by his cool manner and strong personality every man was urged to his utmost."  Commonwealth Gazette 2nd May 1918.

He was returned to Australia in December 1917 to care for his children and discharged on 28th February 1918.

John died in Newcastle, N.S.W. in 1951.