John Flynn
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Not known |
| Place of Birth | Benalla, Victoria |
| Death | 23 Oct 1944, aged 72 |
| Place of Death | East Cannington, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 41 years, 1 month |
| Description |
5'7" (1.70m) tall ; 133lbs 60.328 kg ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | William street, East Cannington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Bridget Flynn |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 6988 |
| Date of Enlistment | 24 May 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 11th Battalion, 23rd Reinforcements |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Dec 1916 ‒ 16 Feb 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A35 Berrima |
| Date of Return | 27 Sep 1917 ‒ 12 Nov 1917 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A29 Suevic |
| Fate | Returned to Australia - medical reasons |
| Monument | Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll |
| Medals | British War Medal |
Pre War
John was one of 12 children born to Peter Flynn and Mary Ann Wright in Victoria. John married Bridget Schollard in Beechworth, Victoria in 1889 and arrived in Fremantle on 20 Nov 1901 on board the SS Ortona from Adelaide, with his occupation listed as 'miner'.
War Service
John entered camp on 24 Jul 1916 and was in training with the 6th reinforcement draft for the 44th Battalion until 9 Aug 1916 when he was transferred to the 23rd draft for the 11th Battalion. On 4 Sep 1916 this was changed to the 22nd draft for the 11th Battalion, and then on 25 Sep 1916 to the 7th reinforcement draft for the 5th Pioneer Battalion. Finally on 8 Nov 1916 he was back with the 23rd draft for the 11th Battalion, before he embarked with them for England aboard the HMAT A35 Berrima. on 23 Dec 1916, and arrived at Devonport on 16 Feb 1917. During the voyage he had suffered a hernia while trying to lift a deck pump, and during disembarkation he fell on the gangway further aggravating the condition.
He was sent to the 3rd Training Battalion at Durrington to prepare for France and Belgium, using a truss to manage the hernia. However, on 10 Mar 1917 he was admitted to the Fargo Military Hospital with mumps and then pneumonia and was not released until 20 Apr 1917. In addition to his illnesses, John was also treated for the hernia, and as a result of him declining an operation to resolve it, he was sent home for discharge. John did not serve on the continent, and therefore was not eligible for the Victory Medal.
On his return to Australia, he spent a period in the 8th Australian General Hospital at Fremantle from 12 - 21 Nov 1917. John was discharged by the 5th Military District 6 Dec 1917.
Post War
John and his wife were still residing in Williams Street, Canning in 1925, with their children Annie Kathleen (b.1907) Gerald Joseph (b.1910) and John Leo. By 1931 his children had married and left home, but he was working as a crate maker and still living with his wife Bridget at William Street. John died on 23 October 1944 in East Cannington.
Electoral Roll entries: 1917 - 1943 William street, East Cannington, labourer.
Notes
For further information on this soldier, or for more information about the history and heritage of the City of Gosnells, please contact the Heritage Coordinator on 9391 6011