Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John Truesdale, known as ‘Jack’ or ‘Bush’, was born in Sebastian, Vic., the son of John (dec.) & Alice Truesdale of Richard-street, Eaglehawk.   He was a Bookmaker, 30 years & 5 months old, with no previous military service.   He was amongst the early volunteers for the Expeditionary Force, enlisting on 18.8.14.   The following day he left Bendigo for the Broadmeadows Camp.   He was allotted Service no. 824 and appointed to ‘G’ Company, 7th Battalion.

Prior to Embarkation he was Presented with a Gold medal from the Eaglehawk Mechanics’ Institute.   He was also Presented with a memento by the Borough of Eaglehawk (Pocket wallet, wristlet watch, or shaving outfit).

The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’.   Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids.   (6/12/14)     

In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized.   In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company.  This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company.    John Truesdale was Promoted to Lance Corporal on 21/2/15.   

The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915.   John Truesdale was Wounded during the Landing, sustaining a Bullet wound to his head/jaw.

Many of the men from Eaglehawk were reported “Missing” after the Landing, and anxious relatives were making enquiries as to their possible whereabouts.   John Truesdale made an attempt to explain.

Truesdale: “On the first day there were dozens of our chaps killed, and are reported missing.   Now I will tell you why.   We advanced a couple of miles inland and the Turks were very strongly reinforced, and, of course, our boys could not hold the enemy.   We had to retire a mile back, fighting all the way, and could not carry our dead and wounded with us.   I walked, ran, and crawled after I was punctured in the face.   So the Turks would bury our dead.”     [Letter.   Bendigonian   January 20, 1916]   

He rejoined the 7th Battalion on 18/5/15.    The following day he was admitted to the Hospital Ship, suffering from Haemorrhoids.   He rejoined the battalion on 3/6/15.   

On July 3 the battalion moved into the trenches at Steele’s Post.     The downward slope behind Steele’s Post was directly overlooked by the Turks, who were in position on the higher ground.   Turkish riflemen made this area particularly unsafe.   The trenches were under constant bombardment by the Enemy Howitzer, causing explosions which buried men.      In the evening on July 6 the enemy bombarded the line with 6 inch Howitzer shells from the direction of Battleship Hill.   John Truesdale was one of those buried in a shell explosion.    Truesdale: “. . . a shell burst among us.   I was buried but the old frame is as good as ever, the other poor chaps were – ”.    [Bendigo Advertiser August 23, 1915]   

On August 8th the 7th Battalion moved into position at Lone Pine, preparing to participate in a Diversionary attack on the Turkish trenches on the 400 Plateau.    ‘D’ Company, under Lieut. W. J. Symons, was on the left, manning the line from Wood’s Post to Goldenstedt’s Post.      Heavy fighting ensued with multiple casualties.

Truesdale: “Men were blown tp pieces all over the place there.   Wounded men never had a chance to get out.   I saw men fall and get blown to bits with bombs before they could get up . . .  Yes, Lone Pine will never be forgotten by those who were in it.”  [Bendigonian   May 11, 1916]   

John Truesdale was Promoted as Corporal (temp) on 12/8/15.    On 4/9/15 he was Admitted to No. 3 Field Ambulance Advanced Dressing Station suffering from Diarrhoea.   He rejoined the battalion on 10/9/15.

On September 13 the battalion embarked for Lemnos & marched to Sarpi Camp.   The health of the men was of great concern and it was hoped to improve this by an extended period of rest.   The men were fed well, but the improvement in the men’s health was very slow indeed.

Truesdale: “I have been feeling very unwell lately.   The officers are very good, allowing me light duty.   I think it is the concussion from those big shells.   They skittled our chaps in hundreds, and I am feeling it pretty bad at present.   The few old chaps that escaped the bullets and shells are nearly all gone to the hospital, completely broken down in health, and I am not made of iron.   I will give in when I am beat, but I am not beat yet, and don’t forget it, although I have done my share in this war.   There are about 20 of us left out of 1100.   Of course, there are about 50 all told, but the majority have not seen much fighting.   They have just returned from the hospitals. . . . ”   [Bendigo Advertiser   November 30, 1915]

The battalion returned to Anzac on November 21.     John Truesdale was Confirmed as Corporal on 4/12/15.    In December preparations were made for the evacuation of Anzac.   The 7th Battalion was withdrawn on the night of December 19th.   

Truesdale: “I cannot tell you anything about the evacuation of Anzac, but it hurt me very much to leave my dear old pals behind.   We had to pass their graves when coming away.”     [Bendigonian   March 16, 1916]

They embarked for Lemnos and then disembarked in Egypt on 6th January 1916.   The force was re-organization and new subsidiary units were created.   One Pioneer Battalion was formed for each infantry division.    On 12/3/16 John Truesdale transferred to 1st Australian Division Pioneer Battalion, with the rank of Sergeant.   He went on to serve on the Western Front and was Promoted to CQMS on  7/3/17.   He RTA on 8/10/18.  Special 1914 Leave.

“The First Lot.   7th Battalion.   The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone