SEMPLE, John
| Service Number: | 4858 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 August 1915, Warwick Farm, NSW |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 1st Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Wishall, Scotland, 1888 |
| Home Town: | Marrickville, Marrickville, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, NSW, 24 August 1953, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Woronora Memorial Park, Sutherland, New South Wales Wall of Mem Svcs AIF A Old, 0112 |
| Memorials: | Haymarket Men of the Railways & Tramways Store Branch Roll of Valour |
World War 1 Service
| 23 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 4858, 1st Infantry Battalion, Warwick Farm, NSW | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 4858, 1st Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Star of England embarkation_ship_number: A15 public_note: '' | |
| 8 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 4858, 1st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Star of England, Sydney |
Help us honour John Semple's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of James Semple, Craigleith Cottage, Craigleith, Eden, Scotland
Husband of Ellen May SEMPLE
Military Medal
'For courage and devotion to duty. They [608 J.P. O'CONNELL, 4858 J. SEMPLE] are members of No. 3 Section of this Company attached to 14th Australian Infantry Brigade. During successful operations forward of HEILLY on night of 28th/29th July 1918, they performed excellent work under heavy fire from the enemy, in establishing and maintaining telephone communications in the forward area. From 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. on the 28th July the worked consistently and hard in establishing communications, and from 12.30 a.m. until 6 a.m. on the 29th July in maintaining same. They were responsible for the lines to the Advanced Brigade position and the flanks, and during the latter period mentioned, bravely carried out their duties under heavy enemy artillery fire. When our offensive action had ceased, Sapper O'CONNELL did remarkable work and controlled the linesmen forward of Battalions. He was greatly assisted by Sapper SEMPLE. It was largely due to the bravery and devotion to duty of these men that almost continuous communication was maintained throughout the operations and subsequently that normal communications were established.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 36
Date: 14 March 1919
SEMPLE, John.—August 24, 1953, at Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, dearly beloved husband of Ellen May Semple and loved father of Eddie.