S54787
WATTS, Luke Theophilus John
| Service Number: | 6664 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 December 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 50th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Littlehampton, South Australia, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Littlehampton, Mount Barker, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Motor Driver |
| Memorials: | Littlehampton Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Dec 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6664, 27th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Jan 1917: | Involvement Private, 6664, 27th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Miltiades embarkation_ship_number: A28 public_note: '' | |
| 24 Jan 1917: | Embarked Private, 6664, 27th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Miltiades, Adelaide | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Private, 6664, 50th Infantry Battalion |
Help us honour Luke Theophilus John Watts's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
Son Luke Theophilus and Frances Watts, Born in little Hampton, South Australia, on the 1st of May 1900. Named after his father Luke Theophilus (Jack, as he was later called) Watts worked as a labourer in his local area, but shortly enlisted in the A.I.F, before he was old enough, on the 4th of December 1916.
Nearly two months after enlisting in the First Australian Imperial Force at the height of 5ft 9" and the age of 16 years and 8 months as a private, did Jack embark on the HMAT Miltiades A28 on the 24th of January 1917. He disembarked at Devonport, Plymouth on the 27th of March 1917. After two months he was admitted to Parkhouse Auxiliary Military hospital for Mumps, a contagious disease caused by a virus, it causes severe swelling of the salivary glands. 20 days later he was discharged from hospital and marched into the 7th training battalion.
On the 23rd of July 1917 he landed in France and a month later he was posted into the 50th Battalion. 6 days after being posted Jack was admitted to hospital for a severe case of varicocele. He was shortly transferred to the 11th General Hospital Camiers, after spending 5 more nights at hospital he was discharged and marched into the 4th Australian General Base Depot.
Two months later on the 1st of November 1917 he received a posting to the 2nd Australian General Hospital, located in Boulogne, France. 14 days after his posting, Jack was once again admitted to hospital for Varicocele, after four nights at hospital he was discharged and put back to duty.
On the 29th of April 1918 Luke was admitted to hospital for influenza, after spending a little under a month in hospital he was discharged and marched out to the Australian General Base Depot Wimereux, Pas-De -Calais. 8 days later he was posted to the Australian Corps Working Party.
On the 2nd of January 1919 Jack embarked on his journey back to Australia from England on the HMATT Berrima. He disembarked the ship on the 15th of February 1919 before shortly being discharged from the A.I.F. On the 19th of March 1919.
On the 14th of January 1922 Jack married Dora Wray at Ashdon Memorial Church, Stirling East. Jack and his wife Dora went on to have 3 children Marjorie, Claire and Norman. In 1950 Jack opened Watt's Butchers Shop in Noarlunga.
Jack retired to Semaphore where he passed away aged 75.
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