Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Name: John Alfred Teakle
Service Number: 4225
Place of Birth: Woodside
Date of Birth: 17 September 1892
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide
Date of Enlistment: 5 January 1916.
Age at Enlistment: 23 years 3 months
Next of Kin: Mother, Sarah Ann Teakle
Occupation: Labourer
Religion: Methodist
Rank: Private
John Alfred Teakle was born at Rose Hill, Woodside on September 17 1892 to George and Augusta Teakle. Augusta died when John was seven years old. George later married again. Hence, on his enlistment papers John listed his mother Sarah Ann Teakle as next of kin. His brothers Leo and Ray didn’t go to the war as they were too young. John was a labourer prior to enlisting on 5 January 1916, the same day as his brother Alex. John was 23 when he joined the 27th Battalion as a private. He left Australia on 9 March 1916 on his way to England and then Egypt. While in England John was absent without leave for 2 days. This was very common amongst recruits during both World Wars.
John’s son, Lyle, stated that John suffered from chronic tonsillitis throughout the war. This explains his several bouts of hospitalisation during his service. While in England in June 1916, he was hospitalised with measles. In August 1916 he spent a month in hospital with tonsillitis.
Along with his unit, John was sent to France in June 1917. Throughout 1917 and 1918 he served on the Western Front. Here he suffered further bouts of tonsillitis, being hospitalised for a month in July 1918, followed by another week, prior to being sent to England where he was treated until 9 August. The war ended while John was in England. He was sent home on the Mahia and was discharged on 9 September 1919.
Lyle recalls that John was a signaller with the 27th Battalion and at one stage was sent out to lay a communications line to the Colonels higher on a small rise who were to observe Australian and English troops, numbering about 2000, as they conducted a frontal assault upon German machine gun posts in bunkers of cement and stone. John told Lyle he saw the attack which resulted in the slaughtering of the allies, with few surviving their injuries.
On another occasion when John was out repairing lines he saw what he thought was a fog approaching. As the “fog” was almost upon him he suddenly realised it was gas and dived into the nearest fox-hole to avoid being gassed.
After the war John often told Lyle he had been mentioned in despatches, so Lyle wrote to Colonel Savage at Base Records, Melbourne seeking clarification. He followed this up by phoning Victoria Barracks who replied stating there was no mention of a J.A. Teakle in despatches. On 17 September 1968, Lyle received a letter from Base records confirming his father’s claim. John was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He is listed on World War One Honor Rolls in Nairne and Woodside.
Upon returning home from the war John worked at a variety of jobs including shearing, wattle-stripping and fencing. Lyle said his father was happy, with a well adjusted temperament and seldom mentioned his war experiences.
John Alfred Teakle died on 1 June 1968 and was buried in the Uniting Church Cemetery, Nairne Road, Woodside.