OTTERSPOOR, John
| Service Number: | 3900 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 February 1917 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 4th Pioneer Battalion |
| Born: | Utrecht, Holland, 19 November 1892 |
| Home Town: | Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Technical High School Holland |
| Occupation: | Engineer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 22 May 1918, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France Plot III, Row C, Grave No. 12 |
| Tree Plaque: |
Yeronga Avenue of Honour
|
| Memorials: | Annerley Stephens Shire Council Residents Honour Board 2, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Yeronga War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Feb 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3900, 4th Pioneer Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Jun 1917: | Involvement Private, 3900, 4th Pioneer Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '5' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: '' | |
| 13 Jun 1917: | Embarked Private, 3900, 4th Pioneer Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
John Otterspoor had travelled to Australia from Holland sometime in 1912, with his twin brother Augustus and a younger brother Franciscus. They were all living in Brisbane, Queensland. His two brothers both enlisted in mid-1915. John had married during 1912 and he enlisted in 1917. He was the son of Servanus and Henderika Otterspoor, who emigrated to Australia during 1920 with their remaining children.
John arrived in France during January 1918 and was serving with the 4th Pioneer Battalion when he was killed by an aeroplane bomb.
His wife, Trintje Otterspoor, filled out his Roll of Honour form, "My husband was an anti-militarist. Deserted Holland for America in 1911. Died for his principle as he was anxious to help crush German Militarism."
She was a woman of some means as she was living in Cleveland, Ohio, USA at this stage.
She had written to base records during January 1920 informing them that she was leaving for Holland in March, on the White Star Line, in the event she had any medals, gratuities etc. coming her way. She eventually made her way to America and it appears she received all of her husbands awards around 1922-23. From a mention in a Brisbane newspaper, she appears to have been referred to as ‘Nurse Otterspoor’.
Johns twin brother 1210 Arnold Otterspoor, 11th Light Horse, returned to Australia during late 1919. His younger brother 464 Francis Jacobs Otterspoor 31st Battalion AIF, was killed in action, Fromelles, France, 19 July 1916.
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