REYNOLDS, John Thomas
| Service Number: | 572 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 December 1914, John Thomas Reynolds enlisted for war on the 8th of December 1914 - Alyssa De Conno |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 11th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Clare, South Australia, 23 June 1886 |
| Home Town: | Norwood (SA), South Australia |
| Schooling: | Kadina Public School, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Died of wounds, Palestine, United Kingdom, 17 November 1917, aged 31 years |
| Cemetery: |
Deir El Belah War Cemetery, Israel Deir El Belah War Cemetery, Deir El Belah, Israel, Colchester Cemetery, Colchester, Essex, England, United Kingdom |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Norwood War Memorial, Tarcowie Cheer Up Society to the Soldiers Memorial Hall Roll of Honor, Tarcowie Memorial Hall Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Dec 1914: | Enlisted Australian Army (Post WW2), 572, 11th Light Horse Regiment, John Thomas Reynolds enlisted for war on the 8th of December 1914 - Alyssa De Conno | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Jun 1915: | Involvement Private, 572, 11th Light Horse Regiment, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Jun 1915: | Embarked Private, 572, 11th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Medic, Brisbane | |
| 13 Nov 1917: | Wounded 572, 11th Light Horse Regiment, John Thomas Reynolds was wounded at Gaza on the 13th of November 1917 and later died three days after. | |
| 16 Nov 1917: | Involvement Corporal, 572, 11th Light Horse Regiment, Third Ypres, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 572 awm_unit: 11 Light Horse Regiment awm_rank: Corporal awm_died_date: 1917-11-16 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Saint Ignatius' College
John Thomas Reynolds
Written By: Alyssa De Conno
John Thomas Reynolds was born in Clare, South Australia on the 23rd of June 1886. He was raised by his parents at their family home at 6 Muller Street, Norwood, South Australia. John received an education at Kadina Public School, South Australia. As a child, he was raised a Roman Catholic and practised his religion with his family.
John Thomas Reynolds was 29 years old and single when he enlisted for the war. His occupation at the time was a labourer, meaning he did jobs and chores for a suitable wage. John enlisted on the 8th of December 1914 and was documented to be part of the 11th Australian Light Horse Regiment. Reynolds received the service number 572.
Six months after enlisting, Reynolds and his unit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board the HMAT A7 Medic. 40 ships, 30,000 troops and 800 horses made the long journey to Egypt. The camp was set in Mena, not far from the city centre in Cairo. Training conditions were excruciating, high intensity and tiring. Limited leave was given to the soldiers as training consisted of eight hours per day, six days a week. Reynolds trained in the 11th Light Horse Regiment learning how to ride into war on a horse.
John Thomas Reynolds served in the battle of Gaza. The battle of Gaza consisted of three battles; the first, the second and the third battle. On the third attempt, six months after the second disappointment, a plan to take Gaza and destroy the Ottoman line into southern Palestine was constructed. Sadly, the third battle of Gaza was Reynolds last war service. On the 13th of November 1917, John Thomas Reynolds was seriously wounded in his side and right arm.
John Thomas received medical treatment but unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to support him. Three days later on the 16th of November 1917, John Thomas Reynolds passed away in Palestine, Gaza, Asia. Reynolds was buried in Dair El Belah War Cemetery, (Row B, Grave No.116), Palestine.
John Thomas was awarded three medals for his service in the war. These included the 1914-1915 Star Medal, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The 1914-1915 Star Medal was awarded for service in the war between the dates of the 5th August 1914 and the 31st of December 1915.
The 1914-1915 Star Medal is in the shape of a four-pointed star. It’s coloured a bright bronze and has a scroll centrally placed reading ‘1914-1915.’ The medal has a red, white and blue ribbon representing the British Empire.
The British War Medal was awarded to all who served in war underneath the British Empire. The medal is silver and has an image of George V, the British King at the time of World War One. The reverse side has an image of St George riding a horse, with the years 1914 and 1918 displayed on each side. The ribbon has a wide central orange stripe as well as two narrow navy blue stripes along each side.
Reynolds was also awarded the Victory Medal. The Victory Medal was awarded to honour the triumph of the Allied Forces over the Central Powers in the war. The medal is coloured bronze and has an image of a winged statue representing victory. The reverse of the medal consists of the saying ‘The Great War For Civilisation.’ The ribbon consists of rainbow coloured stripes.
John Thomas Reynolds displayed numerous qualities of an ANZAC. Throughout the years he served, John showed endurance, ingenuity, mateship, good humour and courage. He showed courage by enlisting in the war, knowing the consequences. Reynolds showed endurance of fighting in Gallipoli. He endured and kept going even though it was his first battle and would have found the reality of war incredibly harsh. Reynolds showed great mateship, he showed this by, assisting wounded soldiers as well as always finding the need to help.
John Thomas Reynolds is part of a significant legacy that shaped our country and culture. Australia will be forever grateful to all the service men and women that so bravely fought. To all who served will forever be remembered and acknowledged.
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