JOHN, William Percy
| Service Number: | 11062 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Divisional Train |
| Born: | Glamorgan, South Wales, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Goodwood, Unley, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Gardener |
| Memorials: | Adelaide Scots Church WW 1 Honour Board_2 |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Jun 1916: | Involvement Corporal, 11062, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Jun 1916: | Involvement Corporal, 11062, 3rd Divisional Train, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Afric embarkation_ship_number: A19 public_note: '' | |
| 9 Jun 1916: | Embarked Corporal, 11062, 3rd Divisional Train, HMAT Afric, Adelaide | |
| 9 Jun 1916: | Embarked Corporal, 11062, HMAT Afric, Adelaide |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
William Percy John was born around 1890 in Porthkerry, Barry, Glamorgan, South Wales. At some stage William moved to South Australia. At the time of his enlistment in 1915, he was 25 years and 3 months old. The next of kin was his mother, Mrs Phoebe John, who lived at Porthkerry, South Wales. William was single and followed the Presbyterian faith. His occupation was recorded as Gardener.
When he enlisted, his address was Goodwood, South Australia, though he formally enlisted in Keswick, South Australia. On his enlistment papers, he was described as 5 feet 7¾ inches tall, weighing 162 lbs, with a chest measurement of 37–39 inches. He had dark hair and brown eyes, with a dark complexion.
John enlisted on 28 May 1915 at Keswick, South Australia, joining the 25th Company, 3rd Divisional Train, Australian Army Service Corps (A.A.S.C.). His initial rank was Driver, a role responsible for the transport of supplies, equipment, and troops. Percy’s role was essential to keeping the fighting divisions supplied and operational.
He embarked from Adelaide on 9 June 1916 aboard the HMAT Afric (A19) and arrived in Southampton, England, on 24 July 1916. He was then deployed to the Western Front in France in November 1916, where he served for the remainder of the war. Records briefly list him as a Corporal on embarkation, though when serving in France, he went back to the rank of Driver.
Like many soldiers, Percy faced frequent health challenges. In 1915, he contracted measles, and then later suffered with an inguinal hernia that kept him in hospital for over two months. In 1916, he contracted mumps and was admitted to St Omer hospital. Later, in 1918, he suffered from influenza, requiring hospitalisation in France.
After nearly four years of service, John Percy was discharged in London on 14 March 1919. His final rank was Driver, and his discharge certificate described his conduct during his service as “Good”. His intended residence was recorded as Porthkerry, Barry, Glamorgan, South Wales, instead of returning to Australia, he chose to resettle in the UK.