URQUHART, John James
| Service Number: | 2814 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 July 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 22nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Tarraville, Victoria, Australia, 11 March 1898 |
| Home Town: | Tarraville, Gippsland, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Tarraville, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Fisherman |
| Died: | Myocardial infarction, Middle Park, Victoria, Australia, 21 June 1976, aged 78 years |
| Cemetery: |
Yarram New Cemetery, Victoria, Australia Cremation was at Springvale cemetery some years later his ashes were shifted to Yarram cemetery in a memorial wall |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2814, 22nd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 2814, 22nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '14' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ulysses embarkation_ship_number: A38 public_note: '' | |
| 27 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 2814, 22nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ulysses, Melbourne | |
| 20 Oct 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 22nd Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by John Robinson
Private John James Urquhart
Service number 2814
Born in Tarraville, Victoria:11/03/1898 To parents Dora and Adam UrquhartWorked as a Fisherman in corner inlet.
Prior to enlistment on 19th of July 1915 he had his parents sign a consent form stating his age 18 yrs and 3 months, when in fact he was really 17 yrs and 3 months
With the onset of WW1 he was keen to join up as he saw this as an opportunity to serve his country and travel overseas. The big adventure began on the HMT Ulysees.
His service is detailed, records show where he served in France, on two occasions he was hospitalised in London UK for haemoptosis due to hydatid lung abcesses.
Basic infantry training was at Broadmeadows Victoria, he was a Lewis Gunner and following being wounded he was promoted to Lance Corporal.
During rehabilitation “termed “in blues” ( a special blues uniform after his Gunshot wounds ) Jack visited the Urquhart Family at Cromarty in northern Scotland.
Jack married Ida Clay and fathered 2 daughters he had 6 grandchildren.
Jack was a shark fisherman in an open boat called Ida.
He fished for shark in Bass Strait till early in the 50’s, he worked closely with the Robinsons on a number of fishing boats and trawlers.
Jack loved all sport and played Australian Rules footy and Cricket. As he got older he followed Collingwood feverishly, I recall he shed a few tears when Collingwood lost to St Kilda by one point at 1966 grand final.
A family man, caring a lot for his elderly mother Dora Urquhart, wife Ida his twin sisters Agnes and Dolly,and his daughters Marjorie and Lorna and their 6 grandchilden.
Jack rarely talked about his war experience, as his oldest grandchild, I lived with him and Ida in Middle Park for a 3 yr period during my High School times and he shared a lot of his experiences with me especially as I was an Army Cadet. I am eternally grateful for the experience of living with my grandparents.
Jack was a fine model family man, honest, hardworking and dedicated to family, fishing and all sport.
A true “Digger”.
Your service and sacrifice remembered always.
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