John (Junior) Shepherd
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth |
unknown "unknown" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation. |
| Place of Birth | Littlehampton, Sussex, England |
| Death | 26 Feb 1971 |
| Place of Death | Victoria Park, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years old |
| Description |
5' 6 ½" (1.69m) tall ; 126 lbs 57.153 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Storeman |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | NOK: Maddington, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Laura Shepherd |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 7137 |
| Date of Enlistment | 31 Mar 1917 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 21st Reinforcements transferred to 51st Battalion / 13th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 23 Jul 1917 ‒ 16 Sep 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A16 Port Melbourne |
| Date of Return | 12 Jul 1919 ‒ 16 Aug 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS City of Exeter |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 25 Apr 1918 at Villers-Bretonneux Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Kelmscott War Memorial (South panel) Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Family lived in River road Kelmscott in the early years of the war.
War Service
A fortnight after entering Blackboy Hill camp, John was allocated to the 21st reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. Unlike many others, his departure was from Albany, and they arrived in England at Liverpool.
On arrival he was posted to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone. Before proceeding overseas, he ran foul of military law and was charged with Neglecting to Obey Guard's Orders. Found guilty he was confined to barracks for 14 days and deducted 21 days pay.
John reached France on 6 Mar 1918 and was taken on strength by the 51st Battalion on 13 Mar 1918 just before it was rushed south to the Somme region to oppose the German forces advancing towards Amiens.
On the day that John was wounded the battalion's war diary records that they were surrounded on three sides by the Germans, who called on them to surrender. In the meantime German snipers and machine guns were causing casualties amongst the Australians who eventually fought their way out. As a result of his injury (a severe gunshot wound to his right hand), John was evacuated to hospital in England via the Canadian's 2/3 Field Ambulance, and the 5th General Hospital in Rouen. In England he entered the 1st Southern General Hospital in Edgbaston on 28 Apr 1918.
Recovered from his injury, John returned to France on 26 Jun 1918 via Folkestone and joined the Infantry's Base Depot. On 9 Jul 1918 he rejoined his battalion at Hamlet in the Somme valley, and he remained with them until the end of January 1919.
Prior to his return home he attended a 2 week long Tractor Plowing School, and he left France on 20 May 1919 for Hurdcott to prepare for his return to Australia.
Discharged by the 5th Military District on 16 Sep 1919.
Post War
Muriel Rose (wife?) died 19 Mar 1972 aged 73 in Victoria Park. Electoral Roll entries - 1921 -1925 returned soldier at 55 Norfolk street, Fremantle; 1925, 6 Miller street, Victoria Park, packer with Muriel Rose. In 1943 at 103 Great Eastern Highway, Victoria Park, labourer; 1949 at 45 Manchester street, Victoria Park with Aubrey and Muriel Rose; 1954 John and Muriel still at 45 Manchester street.
Notes