DEVITT, John Francis
| Service Number: | 3793 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 2 September 1915, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 50th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bute, 24 August 1896 |
| Home Town: | Bute, Barunga West, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Bute Public School |
| Occupation: | Grocer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 16 August 1916, aged 19 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Adelaide National War Memorial, Alford District of Ninnes Honour Board, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bute District Council WW1 Roll of Honor, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 2 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Feb 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3793, 27th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Miltiades embarkation_ship_number: A28 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Feb 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3793, 27th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Miltiades, Adelaide | |
| 12 Aug 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3793, 50th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3793 awm_unit: 50 Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-08-16 |
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"Private J. P. Devitt, of Bute.
...Private John F. Devitt, of Bute, who left South Australia en route for Egypt in the 9th Reinforcements of the 27th Battalion. He is the eldest surviving son of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Devitt, of Bute. Private Devitt was born at Bute 19 years ago, and was educated at the Bute Public School. At the age of 13 he left school for the employment of Messrs. Patterson Bros., store keepers, and was still in the store when the Pattersons sold out to the Eudunda Farmers' Co-Operative, Society. Up to the time of enlistment he was a capable and good assistant in the society, which recognised his work by making him, on the eve of his departure, a valuable presentation of a dressing case, shaving outfit, and other gifts from the manager and assistants. He was always most attentive to his religion, and never happier than in the company of his parents, young brother, and sisters. He has indeed the best wishes of all his friends and acquaintances for a successful military career and safe return." - from the Adelaide Southern Cross 18 Feb 1916 (nla.gov.au)
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THE LATE PTE. J. DEVITT.
Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Devitt, of Bute, have received .official notification that their son, Pte. Jack Devitt, was killed in action in France on August 16. Pte. Devitt enlisted in August, 1915, and sailed for Egypt in February last. After spending about three, months in Egypt he was sent to France, reaching there on June 11. Prior to enlisting he was employed in one of the local stores. Being of a quiet and unassuminig disposition he won the esteem of all who met him. Pte. Devitt was killed one week before his twentieth birthday. His death is deeply regreted by a large circle of friends. Much Sympathy is felt for the bereaved family. —R.I.P." - from the Adelaide Southern Cross 13 Oct 1916 (nla.gov.au)
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