Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

John Hyland was born at Seacombe, Cheshire, England in 1879 to parents John & Mary Rebecca Hyland (nee Thomas).

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 2nd March, 1915 as a 39 year old (age as per Embarkation Roll), single, Traveller when he enlisted in Melbourne, Victoria.

Private John Hyland, Service number 574, was promoted to Lance Corporal on 1st May, 1915 with 23rd Battalion.

On 4th May, 1915 Lance Corporal John Hyland was promoted to Corporal with 23rd Battalion.

Corporal (listed as Private on Embarkation Roll) John Hyland embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Euripides (A14) on 8th May, 1915 with the 6th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Battalion “C” Company & disembarked at Suez on 7th June, 1915 as he was medically unfit.

Corporal John Hyland was discharged from Hospital on 16th June, 1915.

He was returned to Australia per Ceramic on 17th October, 1915 (Venereal).

John Hyland was a 33 year old (age as per Embarkation Roll, however the Attestation Papers recorded he was 35 years & 7 months), single, Traveller when re-attested in Melbourne, Victoria on 2nd March, 1915 with the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.). His service number was changed from 574 to 4004.

He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Ceramic (A40) on 23rd November, 1915 with the 7th Infantry Battalion, 12th Reinforcements.

On 3rd April, 1916 Private Hyland was transferred to 59th Battalion from 2nd Training Battalion at Zeitoun. He was taken on strength of 59th Battalion at Ferry Post on 3rd April, 1916.

Private Hyland embarked from Alexandria on 18th June, 1916 on Troopship Kinfauns Castle to join B.E.F (British Expeditionary Force). He disembarked at Marseilles, France on 29th June, 1916.

He was promoted to rank of Sergeant in France on 7th July, 1916 with 59th Battalion.

Sergeant John Hyland was wounded in action in France on 19th July, 1916. He was admitted to No. 2 Australian Casualty Clearing Station on 20th July, 1916 with Shrapnel wounds to Arm. Sergeant Hyland was transferred to Ambulance Train on 20th July, 1916 & admitted to 3rd Canadian General Hospital at Boulogne, France on 21st July, 1916 with fractured humerus & G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to Arm. He embarked for England on Hospital Ship Jan Breydel on 30th July, 1916 with shrapnel wound/s to left shoulder.

On 31st July, 1916 Sergeant Hyland was admitted to War Hospital, Dundee, Scotland with G.S.W. (gunshot wound/s) to left shoulder – serious. He was transferred to 1st Auxiliary Hospital, England on 4th October, 1916.

He reported to Administrative Headquarters on 26th October, 1916 from Hospital & was granted furlough till 10th November, 1916. He was then to report to No. 1 Command Depot , Perham Downs.

On 12th November, 1916 Sergeant Hyland was discharged from 1st Auxiliary Hospital with shrapnel wounds to left arm & a fractured humerus (slight) & embarked for Australia per H.T. Wiltshire, leaving Portland, England on the same day.

Sergeant Hyland disembarked from H.T. Wiltshire in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 31st December, 1916 & was admitted to No. 11 Australian General Hospital, Caulfield, Victoria with shrapnel wounds to left Arm.

Sergeant John Hyland was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on 23rd May, 1917 medically unfit. He had served for 409 days & his conduct was listed as good.

He was entitled to 1914/15 Star, British War Medal & the Victory Medal.

A War Pension was granted to ex-Sergeant John Hyland, of Commercial Travellers’ Club, Flinders Street, Melbourne, Victoria, in the sum of £3.9.0 per fortnight from 24th May, 1917.

A War Pension was granted to Mary Rebecca Hyland, of 36 Claughton Drive, Poulton, Wallasey, Cheshire, England, mother of ex-Sergeant John Hyland, in the sum of 34/6d per fortnight from 24th May, 1917.

A War Pension to ex-Sergeant John Hyland, of Commerce House P.O., Flinders St. City, was reduced from 2nd June, 1918 from 69/- to 34/6.

The 1919, 1921 & 1922 Australian Electoral Rolls for the division of Melbourne, subdivision of Latrobe, Victoria recorded John Hyland, Commercial Traveller, of 34 Collins Street, Melbourne.

The 1922 Australian Electoral Roll for the division of Fawkner, subdivision of Queens, Victoria recorded John Hyland, Commercial Traveller, of St. Kilda Rd, Melbourne.

The 1926 & 1927 Australian Electoral Rolls for the division of Melbourne Ports, subdivision of Albert Park, Victoria recorded John Hyland, Commercial Traveller, of Hotel Victoria, Beaconsfield Parade.

[There is insufficient information to correctly identify when John Hyland returned to England]

Ex-Sergeant John Hyland died on 19th January, 1958. His death was registered in the district of Newton, Lancashire, England.

He was buried in Newton-Le-Willows Cemetery, Merseyside, England. His headstone was erected by Commonwealth War Graves Commission on behalf of the Australian Government as he is classed as “Non-War.”

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission does not list Sergeant John Hyland – service number 4004, of 59th    Battalion, Australian Infantry on their casualty database as he died after the qualifying period for commemoration by Commonwealth War Graves Commission (4th August, 1914 – 31st August, 1921).

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/newton-le-willows.html