MCFADYEN, John
| Service Number: | 2937 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 September 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 43rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Mossland Farm, Renfrewshire. Scotland, 28 May 1899 |
| Home Town: | Busselton, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Baker & Driver |
| Died: | Injuries Motor Vehicle accident, Busselton Hospital, Western Australia, 14 June 1937, aged 38 years |
| Cemetery: |
Busselton Cemetery, Western Australia Anglican Section |
| Memorials: | Busselton Cenotaph Victoria Square, Busselton Rotary Park of Remembrance Memorial Walk |
World War 1 Service
| 25 Sep 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2937, 43rd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Dec 1916: | Involvement Private, 2937, 43rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '18' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
| 16 Dec 1916: | Embarked Private, 2937, 43rd Infantry Battalion, Stowaway on HMAT Berrima, from Adelaide |
Help us honour John McFadyen's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Joy Dalgleish
John was a stowaway on the Berrima when it left Fremantle on 4 Jan 1917. The Berrima had arrived from Adelaide and was going to Devonport. When he was discovered with the 18/27th Reinforcements, he stated he had been instructed by the Army Pay Corps to report. As the WA Contingent was full, he was taken on strength and assigned to the SA 6/43rd Reinforcement and his service no. officially recognised.
The South-Western News (Busselton: WA. 1903-1954 Fri 18 Jun 1937 Page 4.
ACCIDENT ON JALBARRAGUP ROAD. MR. JOHN McFADYEN SUCCUMBS. About midday on Monday last, whilst proceeding to his home at Chapman's Hill. Mr. John McFadyen, a well known resident of the district, was injured in a motor accident on the Jalharragup Road, from the result of which he later died in the Busselton Hospital. Mr. McFadyen in company with Mr. William Lord, was driving his runabout truck along Jalbarragup Road at the time of the accident, and on a bend in the road near Kalgup about six miles from town, collided with a cream van belonging to Watsonia Butter Company and driven by Mr. William Thornett. The cream van was coming towards Busselton, and was of a two-ton capacity. The off-side wheels of both vehicles collided and Mr. McFadyen sustained several broken ribs and a crushed chest, when the force of the impact pushed the steering wheel of his own vehicle onto his body. Mr. Lord escaped with a slightly lacerated lower lip whilst the driver of the cream van was uninjured. Both vehicles were badly damaged. The assistance of a nearby farmer, Mr. James Munro was obtained and the unfortunate man was conveyed to the Busselton Hospital, where, despite every attention, he passed away shortly after 8 o'clock the same evening.
News of his death occasioned deep regret throughout the town and district. The late Mr. McFadyen being much respected and well liked. For a number of years had had acted as secretary to the Busselton Branch of the Waterside Workers Union. He also held an official position in the local branch of the Ancient Order of Forresters at the time of his death, and was associated with a number of other movements in the town and district. Deceased was born in Scotland 39 years ago. and came to Western Australia at the age of 16. He was a returned soldier, and leaves a wife and small daughter to mourn their loss, and to whom the deepest sympathy is extended.
Hugh McFadyen brother of deceased, was a timber worker residing at Jarrahwood. On June 15 he accompanied Constable Booth to the morgue at the Busselton hospital and there identified the body as that of his brother. John McFadyen, aged 38 years, a farmer of Chapman's Hill. Hugh saw him alive on June 5 last. After the accident Hugh visited him in the hospital. He was seriously injured, but was conscious and said, "Hullo Hughie."