Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Jack was born on 1 Jan 1876 at Kangarilla (near Clarendon, SA) to Elijah Branford and Susanna Branford (nee Lewis).  He was the youngest of 7 children in the family, 5 boys and 2 girls, His father was a farmer at Kangarilla, the family moving to Port Pirie in the early 1890s.

Jack went to school at Kangarilla, leaving at Grade 7 and undertook training as a motor mechanic; it is not known where he undertook this training; he must have been successful, as at a later time he gave his occupation as motor mechanic.

Jack married Louisa Jane Walton at Saint Stephens Church at Willunga on 28 Oct 1902 and the couple moved to Tumby Bay aboard the SS “Ferret” on 1 Aug 1904. Jack started work here as a wheelwright for Mr C. Octoman before commencing a business of his own as a building contractor and tank constructor; he travelled extensively around the West Coast in this trade. He and Ray Walton also built the Methodist Church in 1908.

 In 1914 he opened the first Motor Garage in Tumby Bay in buildings that stood on Tumby Terrace, where Tumby Takeaway is now located: in 1930 these premises were acquired by Archie MacDonald who continued to use them as a garage and tractor/farm machinery area

Jack enlisted at Tumby Bay on 16 Sep 1916 and reported to 2nd Training Battalion for basic training, completing training on 6 Oct 1916. Ten days later he was allocated to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Motor Transport Company as a driver. This unit was raised in Australia in late 1916. On 22 Dec 1916 he, and his unit, embarked aboard HMAT “Persic” at Melbourne bound for UK, disembarking at Devonport (UK) on 3 Mar 1917. 

He undertook further training in Parkhouse (UK) at the AASC Training Depot and the AAMTC, before embarking from Southampton on 20 Jun 1917, disembarking at Le Havre (France) a day later.

On 22 Oct 1917 his unit was renamed as 5th Division Ammunition Supply Park and a day later he was remustered as an artificer (craftsman), motor mechanic.

Divisional Ammunition Sub Parks were motor transport units which moved ammunition from the railhead to forward ammunition dumps, which was then carried forward to units by the horse transport units of the Division Ammunition Columns. Ammunition Sub Parks also operated dumps, or stores, of ammunition. This included the larger calibres of artillery shells which required special handling equipment, smaller shells, mortar rounds, grenades and small arms ammunition. In addition to their primary role they were often tasked to haul lumber, road metal, general stores and postal cargo, petrol, quicklime, rails and medical comforts, as well as undertaking emergency mass medical evacuation and even assisting as medical help at dressing stations

The 5th Division Ammunition Supply Park was disbanded in Mar 1918, thus on 12 Mar 1918 Jack was again transferred, this time to 5th Division Motor Transport Company and retained the position of artificer. He remained in this posting until after the end of the war.

On 3 Feb 1919 he became ill and was admitted to Mile End Military Hospital (UK) where he remained for over 3 weeks before being released to 1st Convalescence Unit (UK).On 5 Apr 1919 he embarked aboard HMAT “Armagh” at Southport (UK) for return to Australia, disembarking at Adelaide on 16 May 1919.

Jack took his discharge at Adelaide on 23 Jun 1919 and returned to Tumby Bay. He resumed his business as a motor agent and garage proprietor and remained in this business until 1930.

Jack had been the captain of the Tumby Bay Rifle Club for 10 years before enlistment and returned to this position for a further 20 years after discharge; he was an excellent shot and won many trophies, both locally and at State level. He was also one of the inaugural members of the Tumby Bay Golf Club and excelled at the sport.

Jack reenlisted in the Volunteer Defence Corps on 25 May 1942 and held the position of Quarter-Master of the Tumby Bay Platoon, 5th Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps, until his discharge on 23 Nov 1945.

Jack died on 10 Sep 1946 and is buried in the Tumby Bay Cemetery. His wife died on 8 Aug 1961 and is buried beside her husband.

Branford Elijah David Baxter : SERN 13362 : POB Kangarilla SA : POE Adelaide SA : NOK W Branford Louisa Jane (wife)

Aged 40 years and three months on enlistment