Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Albert John Langtree, known as Jack, was born in Brisbane in 1891, the youngest of 8 children of Thomas and Isabella Langtree. By 1913 22 year old Jack Langtree and his sister Ruth, 35 years, were living at Wooroolin. The electoral rolls show Jack as a labourer and Ruth as a Dressmaker. I am thinking that Ruth may have been working for Crosser & Co, Dressmaker, who were listed on the 1912 town directory at Wooroolin.
Ruth married James Logan the following year and probably Jack was working with the Logan family at Loganvale.
26 year old Jack Langtree enlisted in the Australian Infantry forces on 14 May 1917 and his unit embarked from Sydney, on board HMAT A28 Miltiades on 2 August 1917. His army records show that he was 5ft 4 ½ in tall with a dark complexion, dark air, hazel eyes and no distinguishing marks. His will was lodged with Mr James Logan of Wooroolin per his army records.
Jack served in the 47th Battalion then 46th Battalion. The war ended on 11 Nov 1918 but Jack did not return to Australia until 23 Jul 1919. He had been transferred to the Australian Corps Workshops. Information about these workshops from the Australian War Memorial: Whilst awaiting demobilization large numbers of men both in France and Great Britain avail themselves the opportunity offered them by taking up educational courses and thus fit themselves for re-entry into civil life. At Jeumont in France a large factory has been taken over by the AIF and converted into technical workshops where all manner of trade are taught to the men. All the fatigue work around the workshops is performed by German prisoners. 'Two up' is indulged in by the Australians in France. In preparation for movement to England, the men complete demobilization papers. The men travel by train from Charleroi to Le Harve where they embark for Southampton. Fourteen days leave is granted to each man before embarking for Australia from Liverpool on the 'Aeneas'.
Jack returned to Wooroolin after the war and per an article in The Brisbane Courier a large gathering assembled at the Commercial Hall, Wooroolin, to welcome home Private A. (Jack) Langtree, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs T, Langtree, Brisbane, who has been on active service for about three years. Speeches of welcome were made by prominent residents, and he was then presented with a cheque on behalf of the Patriotic League. Pte A J. Langtree, who was enthusiastically received, suitably responded. Refreshments were served, and dancing was engaged in. I am sure that all the Wooroolin soldiers were welcomed home like this but the newspaper articles are difficult to find.
Jack selected Por 272 at Wooroolin in 1920 per an article in The Nanango News Friday 23 April 1920. I do not know where this portion is but possibly between Wooroolin & Tingoora behind the Weller properties!
There are several articles about Jack Langtree on Trove and I was particularly pleased to see that he played cricket with my grandfather, Alf Jones, in 1924 per an article in The Brisbane Courier. I am wondering if Jack one of men in the photo I have from Pop & Grandmas collection.
Jack never married. He left Wooroolin about 1928 and the electoral rolls show that him as a Tobacconist at New Farm but not for long. It seems Jack travelled about Qld & NSW staying at Hotels and Guest Houses in the following years. He died in 1965 at Inverell, NSW.

Jacks Great Niece wrote this comment on Ancestry: Jack Langtree named my father Alan Kent (Jack's nephew) as his next of kin. When Jack died at Inverell in October 1965 I remember my father going from Stanthorpe to Inverell to arrange his funeral and pay for it too. I remember his bringing home a port with a few clothes and a few documents and that is all he had at his death. I think he was somewhat the black sheep of the Langtree family although have no idea why. I think he was the one with a wooden leg. Don't know how he was injured.

Lest We Forget