WALLACE, John
| Service Numbers: | 1281, 1281A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 January 1916, 12 yrs 2nd Bn, British Army |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 56th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Ayr, Scotland, 1866 |
| Home Town: | Newcastle, Hunter Region, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Bushman / Labourer |
| Died: | Struck by train, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 3 June 1921 |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW GENERAL-17. 47. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1281, 35th Infantry Battalion, 12 yrs 2nd Bn, British Army | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1916: | Involvement Private, 1281, 35th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 1 May 1916: | Embarked Private, 1281, 35th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Sydney | |
| 9 Sep 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 56th Infantry Battalion | |
| 25 Oct 1917: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 1281A, 56th Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD, medically unfit -senility, overage |
Help us honour John Wallace's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Another Digger of The Great War resting at Sandgate Cemetery.
101 years ago today, on the Monday afternoon of the 6th June 1921, Private John Wallace, 56th Battalion (Reg No-1281(A?), bushman or labourer from Bolton Street, Newcastle, New South Wales and 12 High Street, Sydney, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 55 to 60? GENERAL-17. 47.
Born at Ayr, Scotland between 1862 and 1872? to parent’s unknown (no death certificate), John enlisted January 1916 with the 35th Battalion (stated age 43) at Newcastle, N.S.W.
Admitted to hospital 25.8.1916 (diarrhoea), 31.3.1917 (dental), 3.5.1917 (flat foot).
John was invalided home September 1917, being discharged medically unfit (senility, overage, 51?) on the 25th October 1917.
Mr. Wallace’s name possibly inscribed on the Newcastle Branch (No-1086) Grand United Order of Oddfellows Roll of Honour.
The tragic circumstances of John’s death were reported on the railway line between Honeysuckle Point railway station and the Hannell-street signal box on the
night of June 3, 1921.
I located John resting in an unmarked grave, forgotten, so April 2022 I placed a cross adorned with poppies at the gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Many thanks to the wonderful Michelle Foster for her many hours of outstanding research to locate more information about this Digger.
A Plaque will be placed at the gravesite courtesy of the Forgotten Diggers Headstone Project to restore Honour and Dignity to John.
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.