Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Jack, as he was known, enlisted in the 1st AIF twice. He served 58 days before it was discovered he was underage and was discharged, because he could not gain parental concent. His parents, of Prussian heritage, were children of some of the original settlers of Hahndorf (see Boehm Acadamy). Of a somewhat rebellious nature , John, turned 21, gained the endorsement of the local militia as a loyal Australian, re- enlisted and sailed for the UK from Melbourne on the troop ship Port Lincoln.
On board the same ship was his brother, Wilhelm (Bill) who for reasons unknown was listed as William "Beam" on the embarkation document. This was just the start of Jacks misadventures.
The SS Port Lincoln ran aground at Sierra Leone and the on board troops were progressively transported on passing troop convoys heading for Europe. A consummate pianist (he later became a composer) Jack was in his element in the town and was one of the last Pt Lincoln troops to leave this colonial outpost, then known as "the White Man's Graveyard". Despite the town's reputation,Jack seemed to like it, as he wrote there was "plenty of beer".
He found England very much not to his taste. The rations and conditions were terrible and he found himsel AWOL on several occasions. His diary records some of his exploits and his general discontent. Dissatisfaction with the treatment they recieved in England was felt by many of the Aussies, which is a matter of history.
Jack was not a good soldier and even when moved to the front in France his rebellious nature often came forward and he often found himself in trouble. His diary records "went AWOL...again" His brother, Bill had been killed in action and perhaps this greatly affected his attitude.
Somehow, Jack survived France and on returning to England he met and married my Grandmother and together they sailed for Australia. For which I am eternally grateful.