John Edward WATKINS

John Edward WATKINS Update Details

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WATKINS, John Edward

Service Number:	715
Enlisted:	25 February 1915
Last Rank:	Private
Last Unit:	53rd Infantry Battalion
Born:	Minmi, New South Wales, Australia, 18 September 1896
Home Town:	Granville, Parramatta, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Miner / Copper Smith
Died:	Killed in Action, France, 19 July 1916, aged 19 years
Cemetery:	No known grave - "Known Unto God"
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Granville War Memorial, V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery Memorial

World War 1 Service

25 Feb 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 715
12 May 1915:	Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 715, 17th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: ''
12 May 1915:	Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 715, 17th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Sydney
16 Aug 1915:	Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 715, 17th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli
3 Apr 1916:	Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 53rd Infantry Battalion
19 Jul 1916:	Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 715, 53rd Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix), --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 715 awm_unit: 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1916-07-19

WATKINS John Edward

John Edward Watkins was born to Welsh parents Evan Watkins and Leah Watkins [nee Morgan]
from Monmouthshire in Wales he was one of 11 or 12 children { some died as babies },

His sister Rachel came to Australia with his parents on the " Samual Plimsoll "
in 1877,

John was born in Minmi NSW {Newcastle} reg No 32282. On the 18th August, 1896. He attended a Protestant day School. John was Church of England

By trade John was a Copper Smith and worked Latterly Mining

John Enlisted at Granville on the Feb 26th 1915 joining the 53rd Battalion Gunman Section His No 715. His father was his next of Kin and he lived in John St Lidcombe {Sydney}

Poor John was shot down on that terrible night in Fleurbaix Fromelles by a bullet in the initial charge then crawling back to his own line was then shot by a sniper. Rest in peace Dear Great Uncle. We will remember you Less we forget.

Virtual
War Memorial
Australia