Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John after the death of his father become a bit of a wild child. This led to young Jack been sent to a state reformatory school. In the mid 1860s the government had up these nautical school ships for wayward or unwanted boys. The ship was docked at Sydney. I found it fascinating as the decommissioned ship was the same ship that brought my great grandfather out from Scotland, who also started off troubled. Theses schools were designed to offer nautical and industrial training, allong qith schooling and moral training. Once he left the school he gained employment on a merchant ship there his life upon the water begins. Not long after war broke out ,Jack was quick to enlist on July the 15th 1915. After basic training He was heading to Gallipoli. Jack arrived in Marseille  in June  immediately setting off towards North after being through Armentieres stying there through  to early August the 13th battalion were heading into a major attack with two other battalions  the 50 and and 51st battalions thouth the 13th battalion  would of been one of the only ones to advance. This was the time unfortunately Jack went Missing in Action, then Deemed KIA as he has not been found. Though Jack an i are not related i feel i feel as if i am. i spent many years looking for his family to retun medals to them as when  Jack was killed in action his medals were given to his mother along with the dead penny, which since had been passed down to her childern an then theres Jacks were given to his brother who also served unfortunately they had been stolen they had ended up in my cousin shed for over 70 years, we believe  as my cousin parents owned a pawn shop someone stole them and brought them to be pawn. That their family held onto them in the hopes he come looking for them. So they layed dormant. Unfortunately Jacks brothers Victory one is missing i pray someone has it and brings it home.

You are never forgotten Jack