ANZAC Heroes | Great War 1914 – 1918

Bunbury – Wellington District Western Australia

SIMMONS, John William

Full Name: John William

SIMMONS

Date of Birth: 09

–

1892

Place of birth: Bunbury

Australia

Occupation: Mill Hand

Address: Forrest Avenue South Bunbry

Next of Kin: Father-Charles Edward Simmons Mother-Ellen Simmons

Next of Kin Address: Forrest Avenue South Bunbury

Religion: Roman Catholic

Service Number: 3779

Rank: Gunner

Unit/Division: 3rd Field Artillery Brigade

Enlistment Date: 1914-11-12

Enlistment Location: Helena Vale

WA

Embarkation Port:

Embarkation Date: 1915-02-08

Embarkation Ship:

Disembarkation Port:

Disembarkation Date: 1915-03-17

Locations Served:

,

Returned: Yes

Discharge Date: 1919-05-15

Cause of Death:

Date of Death:

Place of Death:

Age at Death:

Burial Location:

12/11/1914- Completed Medical Examination Kalgoorlie WA
12/11/1914-To Driver 3rd Field Artillery Brigade 3rd Reinforcements
15/03/1915-To Mena Camp Egypt-Driver 3rd Brigade Ammunition Column
2/10/1915-Transferred 8th Battery Alexandria
27/02/1916-To 4th Division Artillery Tel-el-Kebir
6/03/1916-To Driver 21st Howitzer Brigade Tel-el-Kebir
1/04/1916-Disembarked Marseilles France ex  Alexandria Egypt
15/05/1916-To Driver 3rd Field Artillery Brigade France
17/06/1917-Admitted Aust & NZ Field Ambulance ( Acute Contusion Left Thigh )
26/06/1917-Rejoined Unit ex. Hospital
10/11/1917-Granted Leave England
27/11/1917-Rejoined Unit ex Leave
10/05/1918-To Gunner 3rd Field Artillery Brigade at own request
10/11/1918-Granted Leave England
27/11/1918-Rejoined Unit ex. Leave
12/12/1918-To 1st Division Headquarters France
22/12/1918-To Overseas Training Brigade England ex. France
25/01/1919-Embarked England for Australia per*Ceramic*
3/03/1919-Disembarked Australia
15/05/1919-Discharged from Service

7/4/1967 – LETTER FROM SOLDIER SEEKING ISSUE OF GALLIPOLI MEDAL

To Central Army Records – ” I wish to make application for the Gallipoli Medal.  I enlisted in Bunbury Western Australia on the 16th November 1914, left Fremantle  on the 8th February 1915, arrived at Mena Camp Egypt about the middle of March 1915, as a Driver for the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade , was attached to the 3rd Brigade Ammunition Column.

We sailed for Gallipoli about the middle of April 1915 on the S.S Cardiganshire, went to Lemnos Island and after we were there for a few days, on the night of the 24th April we left there, and sailed for Gallipoli, arriving there in the early morning of the 25th April.

After cruising around for a couple of weeks it was found that the horses and wagons were not needed , we had to return them to Alexandria. After the evacuation of Gallipoli, the Howitzer Battery was formed and I was transferred to the 103rd Howitzer Battery and served right through France, was mustered Gunner in May 1918 and discharged in Western Australia on 15 May 1919 “.

 

Service Medals Awarded

1914/15 Star – No. 1133

British War Medal – No. 1608

Victory Medal – No. 1605