Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Robert and Margaret MONKHOUSE of Victoria Park East, WA

Joseph Monkhouse signed the ‘Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad’ and the Oath to ‘well and truly serve’ on 3 January 1916 at Perth, Western Australia.  A medical examination on the same day recorded that he was 25 years of age, stood 5ft 5½ins tall and weighed 123 lbs.  He had a sallow complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.  He was of the Church of England faith.

He stated he was a Fitter of Victoria Park East, Western Australia and named as his Next-of-Kin his father, Mr. Robert Monkhouse of Weston Street, Victoria Park East, Perth, Western Australia.

After initial training with the 44th Depot Battalion, he was transferred to Engineers on 31 January.  At Guildford on 24 June 1916 he was appointed to the Tunnelling Company Reinforcements and was transferred to the Miners Reinforcements Training Camp at Seymour, Victoria on 1 July 1916. 

Joseph also embarked with the 4th Reinforcements on the transport RMS Orontes on 16 August, 1916.

Joseph proceeded overseas to France on 17 October 1916 and marched in to the Australian General Base Depot (AGBD) at Etaples on 19 October.  He was attached to the Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company (AEMMBC) on 2 December.

On 16 June 1917 he was admitted to the 15th Casualty Clearing Station with anaemia.  He was transferred to the 2nd Canadian Stationary Hospital at Outreau on 20 June and on 12 July was sent to the 7th Convalescent Depot at Boulogne.

On 21 July he was transferred to the 3rd Canadian General Hospital with anaemia (gas poisoning) and on 31 July was again transferred to the 7th Convalescent Depot at Boulogne – P.U.O. (pyrexia of unknown origin).  He was discharged from Hospital on 30 August and marched in to the AGBD at Rouelles on 1 September.

On 5 September he was classified as “P.B.” (Permanent Base Duty) due to anaemia and debility.  He embarked for England on 20 September and marched in to No.2 Command Depot, Hurdcott.  He was transferred to No.4 Command Depot on 21 September.  He marched out to No.2 Command Depot on 24 November and on 1 February 1918 Joseph left London on board SS Balmoral Castle, disembarking at Fremantle on 18 March 1918. 

Discharged from the A.I.F. at Perth on 10 April 1918 as ‘Medically unfit – anaemia and shellshock’, Joseph was entitled to wear the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Joseph Monkhouse married in 1918 at Canning, Western Australia to Myrtle England.  Myrtle was the daughter of Robert and Rebecca England and had been born at Broken Hill, New South Wales in 1894.  In 1916 Myrtles’ address was Post Office, Queens Park.

In 1925 Joseph, a Fitter, and Myrtle were living at 54 Starr Street, Victoria Park East.  In September 1925 Josephs’ military medical documents were forwarded to the Repatriation Commission, Perth.

In November 1931 Joseph applied for a copy of his discharge certificate stating that the original copy had been accidentally burnt.

Joseph and Myrtle continued to live at 54 Starr Street until his death on 8 July 1942

MONKHOUSE,- On July 8, 1942, at Perth, Joseph, dearly beloved husband of Myrtle Monkhouse, of 50 Starr-street, Carlisle, fond father of Ilma, Robert, Joyce and Allan: father-in-law of Gilbert: aged 51 years.

MONKHOUSE. - On July 8, at Perth, Joseph, dearly loved youngest son of Margaret Ann and the late Robert Monkhouse, and loved brother of Mary, Sarah and Robert, of Carlisle; brother-in-law of Don Taylor, Andy Boland (A.I.F.) and Mary J. Monkhouse: aged 51 years.

MONKHOUSE. - On July 8, at Perth, Joseph, dearly loved brother-in-law of Mr and Mrs J. Garnaut, and loving uncle of Minnie, Ruby, Jack, Myrtle, Ethel, Laurie, Colin, Jean.  Loved by all.

RSL WOMEN'S AUXILLARY, CARLISLE.

MONKHOUSE. - On July 8, at Perth, Joseph, beloved husband of our esteemed Member, Myrtle Monkhouse.

Sleeping peacefully In God's care.

N. GILSENAN. President.

L. CROFTS. Secretary