WATKINS, John Edward
| Service Number: | 715 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 25 February 1915, Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 53rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Newcastle, New South Wales, September 1896 |
| Home Town: | Granville, Parramatta, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Fromelles, France, 19 July 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
VC Corner Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles, France VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France |
| 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, Liverpool, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Submitted 19 January 2016 by Valerie Charlton
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