SHALES, John Frederick George
| Service Number: | 1086 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 February 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 41st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia, 17 June 1890 |
| Home Town: | Leichhardt, Leichhardt, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 15 February 1960, aged 69 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld Anzac Portion 9, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Feb 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1086, 41st Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 1086, 41st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Demosthenes embarkation_ship_number: A64 public_note: '' | |
| 18 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 1086, 41st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Demosthenes, Sydney | |
| 27 Jun 1918: | Honoured Military Medal, 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95 Date: 27 June 1918 | |
| 16 Oct 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1086, 41st Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Australian Remembrance Army
Private John Frederick George Shales MM (Service No. 1086), an Australian World War One veteran who was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now marked with plaques in recognition of their service for Australia.
John Frederick George Shales plaque in Lutwyche Cemetery on 20 September 2025, along with a further 161 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook page
John Frederick George Shales was born on 17 June 1890 in Sydney, New South Wales, to John and Sarah Shales. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Lismore, New South Wales, on 1 February 1916, aged 25, stating his occupation as a labourer and nominating his father, John, of Sydney, as next of kin. On 18 May 1916, he embarked for overseas service with the 41st Battalion aboard HMAT Demosthenes from Sydney.
John proceeded to France from England in November 1916 and was gassed in action in France in June 1917. In early 1918, he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field, and in April 1918 he was admitted to hospital suffering from trench fever. He returned to Australia aboard HMAT Euripides in September 1919 and was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 16 December 1919.
Following his return to Australia, he resided in Sydney and, by 1939, had settled in Toowoomba, Queensland, where he worked as a labourer. Between 1954 and 1958, he lived at Upper Coomera, continuing in the same occupation.
Private John Frederick George Shales MM died on 15 February 1960, aged 69, and was buried two days later in Anzac Portion 9, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane. His death registration records his name as “Frederick George William Shales”, while the Brisbane City Council burial register records his name as “Frederick George Shales”.
John was a single man who had no known children.
After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.
We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.
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