SAWYER, Spilsby
| Service Number: | 525 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 September 1916, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 14th Machine Gun Company |
| Born: | Spilsby Island, South Australia, 24 July 1872 |
| Home Town: | Murray Bridge, Murray Bridge, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Natural causes, Adelaide, South Australia, 12 July 1947, aged 74 years |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section) Section: Kendrew Oval, Row Number: 7, Site Number: 13 |
| Memorials: | Port Lincoln & District Honor Roll WW1 |
World War 1 Service
| 22 Sep 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 525, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Dec 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 525, 14th Machine Gun Company, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Persic embarkation_ship_number: A34 public_note: '' | |
| 22 Dec 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 525, 14th Machine Gun Company, HMAT Persic, Melbourne | |
| 1 May 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 525, 14th Machine Gun Company |
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Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
"Pioneers of Port Lincoln
The celebration of Port Lincoln's centenary is a fitting time for recalling memories of all who took part in the early life of the settlement. One of these was Mr. Joseph Sawyer, who was connected with the early oystering industry and also had grazing interests. He was horn at Maidenhead, Kent. At the age of 11 years he ran away from home and joined the British Navy, where he served for seven years. After his discharge he shipped for Australia and landed at Port Adelaide when just 20 years of age. He soon married and later came to Port Lincoln where he at first lived in an old hut which then existed near the Old Windmill. He engaged in oyster dredging, also in carting oysters from Coffin Bay to Port Lincoln.
Mr. Sawyer took up Spilsby Island under a grazing lease, going backwards and forwards between Port Lincoln and this island with the small cutter Albion, which was after wards called the Ammonia. His family, with the exception of Charles, lived on the island, and the youngest son, Spilsby Sawyer was born on and named after the island. Mr. Sawyer applied for a new lease under which he could do cultivation on the island, but when the new lease was granted it was to someone else. As compensation he was given Mickera Station. He died in Port Lincoln in 1891, having raised a family of six sons and four daughters. Another boat which Mr. Sawyer owned and sailed was the Sirius. "Shellback Joe" the name given to Mr. Sawyer in recognition of his sailing experience and ability, was a type necessary to the development of the new settlement. It is well to remember the courage and hardiness of these men to whom we owe so much." - from the Port Lincoln Times 13 Jan 1939 (nla.gov.au)
"SAWYER.— On July 12, at Adelaide, Spilsby (late of Port Lincoln), youngest son of late Mr. and Mrs. J. Sawyer. Aged 74 years.
SAWYER.— On July 12th, at Royal Adelaide Hospital, Spilsby Sawyer (ex-3rd Machine Gun Regiment, 1st A.I.F.), uncle of W. Sawyer, Kimba, aged 75 years. Peace fully sleeping." - from the Port Lincoln Times 17 Jul 1947 (nla.gov.au)
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