HOARE, John
| Service Number: | 2450 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 January 1916, Enlisted at Rockhampton |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 52nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Barcaldine, Queensland, Australia, 1890 |
| Home Town: | Barcaldine, Barcaldine, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Shearer |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 6 April 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Vignacourt British Cemetery, Picardie Plot 1, Row A, Grave 9 Rev. A. Bajada officiated |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Barcaldine War Memorial Clock Tower |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2450, 52nd Infantry Battalion, Enlisted at Rockhampton | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Sep 1916: | Involvement Private, 2450, 52nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Seang Choon embarkation_ship_number: A49 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Sep 1916: | Embarked Private, 2450, 52nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Seang Choon, Brisbane | |
| 1 May 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, Part of the Citation reads: For gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 11th April 1917 near Reincourt after the withdrawal from the Hindenburg Line Battalion volunteered in spite of continuous machine gun and artillery fire, to go out into No Man's Land and collect wounded. At first they got a hostile reception but ultimately by their persistency and determination, they were permitted to carry on unmolested till dark. In this manner they saved the lives of many who would otherwise have perished in the snow. Two of the number were killed but undetermined the remainder stuck to their task until darkness put a stop to their work. They showed magnificent coolness and gallantry and untiring energy in their difficult task. Source: Commonwealth Gazette No. 169 Date: 4 October 1917 | |
| 7 Jun 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2450, 52nd Infantry Battalion, Shell wound to the right leg |
Help us honour John Hoare's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Sharyn Roberts
Son of Denis & Mrs W. Hoare of Barcaldine, QLD; brother of Mollie Hoare
Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks
John Hoare only joined the 52nd Battalion on the Western Front five days before he was awarded a Military Medal for bravery. He, along with seven others, two of whom lost their lives, were decorated on the same recommendation.
'For gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 11th April 1917 near Bullecourt after the withdrawal from the Hindenburg Line these men under the command of Lieutenant Julin of 52nd Battalion volunteered in spite of continuous machine gun and artillery fire, to go out into No Man’s Land and collect wounded. At first, they go a hostile reception but ultimately by their persistency and determination, they were permitted to carry on unmolested till dark. In this manner they saved the lives of many who would otherwise have perished in the snow. Two of the number were killed but undetermined the remainder stuck to their task until darkness put a stop to their work. They showed magnificent coolness and gallantry and untiring energy in their difficult task.'
He was wounded by shrapnel in the leg during the Battle of Messines in June 1917. He was given a few weeks leave in London during early 1918 and was mortally wounded during the heavy fighting at Dernancourt on 5 April 1918 when the 47th and 52nd Battalion’s front lines were partially overrun by a very heavy German attack through their position.
John Hoare died of gunshot wounds in the 20th Casualty Clearing Station and was buried by a chaplain. His personal effects never made it back to his family at Barcaldine as the ship carrying them was sunk by a German submarine. His Military Medal was forwarded to them in 1918, along with the words, “It is with feelings of admiration at the gallantry of a brave Australian soldier who nobly laid down his life in the service of our King and Country that I forward to you…”
John made a will in favour of his sister, Miss Molly Hoare, who was only 14 years of age at the time. His brother, 3420 Private Denis Hoare served with the 2nd Light Horse Regiment and returned to Australia during 1919.