John Thomas Clements
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known 1893 |
| Place of Birth | Dimboola, Victoria |
| Death | 10 Jun 1938, aged 43 |
| Place of Death | Cottesloe, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 23 years, 4 months |
| Description |
5'9¾" (1.77m) tall ; 153 lbs 69.4 kg ; ruddy complexion ; brown eyes ; black grey in front hair |
| Occupation | Teacher |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Coolgardie, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr William Clements (Jarrahdale) |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 7216 |
| Date of Enlistment | 2 Oct 1916 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation |
16th Battalion, 24th Reinforcement transferred to 4th Machine Gun Battalion |
| Date of Embarkation | 29 Jan 1917 ‒ 27 Mar 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A28 Miltiades |
| Date of Return | 28 Aug 1919 ‒ 15 Oct 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A61 Kanowna |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Jarrahdale Honour Roll ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entry - 1916 Coolgardie, government school teacher
War Service
Enlisted in Kalgoorlie on 2 Oct 1916, and was allocated to the 24th reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion on 30 Dec 1916, and he travelled with them to England aboard HMAT A28 Miltiades which sailed form Fremantle on 28 Jan 1917, and disembarked troops at Devonport on 27 Mar 1917 During the voyage John spent two periods in the ship's hospital, 5 Feb to 8 Feb 1917, and 15 Feb until 20 Feb 1917. On arrival in England John was sent to the 4th Training Battalion at Codford to prepare for service in France and Belgium.
He proceeded overseas to France through Southampton on 9 Jul 1917, and on 27 Jul 1917 at Bleutour, he was one of 118 reinforcements taken on strength as the 16th Battalion rebuilt its strength prior to re-entering the front lines near Messines on 3 Aug 1917.
On 11 Sep 1917 he sought medical assistance, being treated first by the 58th Casualty Clearing Station before being sent to the 7th Canadian General Hospital in Étaples. He was released to the 6th Convalescent Depot on 25 Sep 1917 for two days before he was transferred to the 13th Convalescent Depot, and then released back to the Base Depot on 27 Oct 1917. However, the next day he required further treatment in Le Havre, and did not rejoin his battalion until 27 Nov 1917. John was transferred to the 4th Machine Gun Battalion on 12 May 1918.
On 25 Aug 1918 he travelled to England on leave, returning on 15 Sep 1918. Resulting from his furlough, he required hospital treatment again on 1 Oct 1918. He was then seen in sequence by the 4th Field Ambulance, the 20th Casualty Clearing Station, the 1st Stationary Hospital, the 39th General Hospital, the 41st Stationary Hospital, and the 37th Casualty Clearing Station, before being placed aboard Ambulance Train No. 23 on 7 Oct 1918 for Le Havre where he entered the 39th General Hospital on 9 Oct 1918 before being evacuated on 26 Dec 1918 to England. On 27 Dec 1918 he was admitted to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital in Bulford with Venereal Disease. Total ineffective period was 148 days, with discharge from hospital occurring on 25 Feb 1919. John was then attached to hospital until he was transferred to Tidworth on 16 Mar 1919. On 3 Apr 1919 he was promoted Temporary Corporal, and on 15 Jul 1919 he was promoted Temporary ER Sergeant as a member of Educational Staff at Tidworth. Before his return to Australia John spent another fortnight (16 - 30 July 1919) in the 1st Australian General Hospital at Sutton Veny with Tuberculosis.
On his return to Australia, John was discharged by the 5th Military District on 18 Apr 1920.
Post War
On 25 May 1921 John married Dorothy Vina Ruth Elligett in Subiaco. During July 1918, Dorothy had written to authorities seeking to make contact with John. Following John's death Dorothy moved to Victoria, and in 1943 married Arthur David Wallis. She died on 9 Dec 1979 in Parkville, Victoria.
Electoral Roll entries - 1925 93 Collins street, Kalgoorlie, school teacher; 1931 - 1936 at 14 Aberdare road, Subiaco.
Notes
Brother of 279 Pte William Francis Clements who returned to Australia. NOK lived in Jarrahdale.