TONKIN, John Vaughan
| Service Number: | 2910 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 June 1915, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 5th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Kialla West, Vic., 1893 |
| Home Town: | Shepparton, Greater Shepparton, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Storeman |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 20 September 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
Tyne Cot Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium XXV H 24 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Mooroopna Shepparton News Calendar & Pictorial Honour Roll of Fallen Heroes, Shepparton & District War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 22 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2910, 5th Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Sep 1915: | Involvement Private, 2910, 5th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '8' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Star of Victoria embarkation_ship_number: A16 public_note: '' | |
| 10 Sep 1915: | Embarked Private, 2910, 5th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Star of Victoria, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Richard James and Mary Ellen TONKIN, Shepparton, Victoria
Dear Hal.-No doubt long ere this you will have heard of poor Jack's death which occurred on the morning of the 20th inst at about 7 o'clock, when attacking one of Fritz's strong posts (or "pill boxes" as you see them called), concrete machine gun emplacements. He was sniped through the head and died instantly. He was a fine soldier and died game; he was always amongst the first to volunteer for any job that a bit of grit was required for. I regret very much indeed that we could not get an opportunity of burying him in a nice cemetery, but under the existing conditions it was impossible to bring him out as all and more that were available of stretchers were required for the wounded, but we managed to give him a good soldier's grave and he died where the Australians again made a great name, but at the expense of many grand men, and God knows how mauch longer it will last. I have not seen any of our local boys except Capt Bazely and M. Mulcahy for some time, but I believe up to date all others are well. I do not know the address of Jack's people or would write them, so I must ask you to convey to them my deepest sympathy and also that of his many friends. All Jack's belongings will be sent to his people through the proper channel. He only had his pay book on him, the remainder in his pack, which, of course, can only be attended to by those in charge of same.-Yours truly, W. J. L.
TONKIN.- In loving memory of our dearly loved son and brother, Private John Vaughan (Jack) Tonkin, late 5th Battalion, killed in action at Polygon Wood on 20th September, 1917.
Our hero.
So dearly loved, so sadly missed.
Rest in peace.
-(Inserted by his loving parents, sisters Eileen and Ethel, and little brother Frank.)
TONKIN.- In loving memory of Pte. Jack Tonkin, 5th Batt., killed in action September 20, 1917, fond cousin of Mollie, Jack, Keith, and Clive Gregory, Wahring.
One of the best.
Sadly missed.
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