FITZGERALD, John Joseph
| Service Numbers: | 3170, 2662 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 June 1915, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 4th Pioneer Battalion |
| Born: | Quambatook, Victoria, Australia, March 1892 |
| Home Town: | Manangatang, Swan Hill, Victoria |
| Schooling: | State School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Bullock driver |
| Died: | Tuberculosis, Norfolk War Hospital, Norwich, Norfolk, England , 10 April 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
Norwich Cemetery, Norfolk, England 54. 693 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Burwood Memorial Arch, Strathfield WWI Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 15 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3170, Melbourne, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Oct 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3170, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Port Lincoln, Melbourne | |
| 16 Oct 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3170, 12th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Lincoln embarkation_ship_number: A17 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Nov 1915: | Involvement Private, 2662, 20th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Nov 1915: | Embarked Private, 2662, 20th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Sydney | |
| 10 Apr 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3170, 4th Pioneer Battalion | |
| 10 Apr 1917: | Involvement Private, 3170, 4th Pioneer Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3170 awm_unit: 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1917-04-10 |
Help us honour John Joseph Fitzgerald's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by John Edwards
Enlisted under alias John Joseph COX as his father objected to his enlistment
Biography contributed by Evan Evans
The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland
Died on this date – 10th April…… John Joseph Fitzgerald was born at Oakvale, near Quambatook, Victoria in 1892. His mother – Mary Ann Fitzgerald died in 1909 in Victoria.
On 16th June, 1915 John Joseph Fitzgerald enlisted under the name of John Joseph "Cox" & stated he was a 23 year old, Single, Bullock Driver from Quambatook, Victoria.
Private John Joseph “Cox” embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on HMAT Port Lincoln (A17) on 18th October, 1915 with the 12th Infantry Battalion, 10th Reinforcements. He was taken on strength of 12th Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir on 19th January, 1916.
He was awarded 10 days F. P. No. 2 (Field Punishment) while posted at Serapeum & forfeited 3 days’ pay. (no reason listed).
On 1st March, 1916 Private “Cox” was transferred from 12th Battalion at Railhead to 52nd Battalion & joined them at Tel-el-Kebir on 5th March, 1916.
Private “Cox” was transferred from 52nd Battalion to 4th Pioneers Battalion on 16th March, 1916 at Tel-el-Kebir.
Mr A. Fitzgerald wrote to Base Records on 4th March, 1916 enquiring about his son & had heard that his son had enlisted under the name of J. J. Cox and that he had sailed some time ago. Mr Fitzgerald stated that his nephew Andrew Fitzgerald who had enlisted saw his son and was speaking to him.
Base Records replied on 15th March, 1916 stating that a Private John Joseph Cox had enlisted at Melbourne on 16th June, 1915 stating that his age was 23 years and 3 months, occupation, Bullock Driver and that he was born at Quambatook where his next-of-kin shown as father, Mr A. Cox was also resident.
Mr A. Fitzgerald wrote to Base Records on 27th March, 1916 stating “I am extremely thankful for the trouble you have taken about my son’s address many thanks for same; it is him what possessed him to not give his right name puzzles me. He was born at Oak Vale a few miles from Quambatook he was registered at Quambatook South. There never was anyone of the name of Cox about Quambatook to my knowledge. At any time if you would kindly communicate with me you would greatly oblige if any thing should happen him.”
Base Records replied to Mr A. Fitzgerald on 1st April, 1916 stating that before his “name could be added to the records it would be necessary for you to forward me his birth certificate and a statutory declaration to the effect that he is your son, and if same are found to be in order his records will be endorsed, “stated to be J. J. Fitzgerald” and all advices received regarding him will then be transmitted to you. “
Private “Cox” was admitted to No.2 Australian Stationary Hospital at Tel-el-Kebir on 21st June, 1916 – cause N.Y.D. (not yet determined). He was transferred from No. 2 Australian Stationary Hospital on 26th June, 1916 & admitted to No. 3 Australian General Hospital at Abbassia on 27th June, 1916 with Pleurisy. Private “Cox” was transferred to Ras-el-Tin Convalescent Depot on 6th July, 1916 with Pyorrhoea. He was transferred to 21st General Hospital at Alexandria with P.U.O. (Pyrexia (fever) of unknown origin). He was transferred to Montazah Convalescent Depot on 9th October, 1916 with Paratyphoid & discharged to Moascar on 27th October, 1916.
On 28th October, 1916 Private “Cox” joined Details Camp at Moascar on 28th October, 1916. He proceeded from Moascar on 7th November, 1916 to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force). Private “Cox” embarked from Alexandria on H.T. Megantic on 8th November, 1916 to join B.E.F.
Private John Joseph “Cox” rejoined his Battalion from Hospital on 8th February, 1917.
[Note – there is no record between 8th November, 1916 & the entry of rejoining his Battalion on 8th February, 1917].
According to details provided by Constable T. FitzGerald, his brother wrote him a letter on 25th February, 1917 from Norfolk War Hospital, England.
[Note – there is no record in the Service Record file for Pte J. J. “Cox” of him being admitted to Hospital]
Private John Joseph “Cox” died on 10th April, 1917 at the Norfolk War Hospital, Norwich, Norfolk, England from Tuberculosis.
He was buried in Earlham Road Cemetery, Norwich, Norfolk, England where 23 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.
(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/norwich---norfolk.html
Click images to start slideshow.