Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"...6039 Private John Joseph Jago, 14th Battalion, a 20 year old mill hand from Warrnambool, Victoria when he enlisted on 22 March 1916. He embarked for overseas with the 19th Reinforcements from Melbourne on 1 August 1916 aboard HMAT Miltiades. Pte Jago was killed in action at Beugnatre, France on 11 April 1917 and his name is inscribed on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France with others who have no known grave..." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)

"PTE. JOHN J. JAGO.

Private John Joseph Jago was the eldest son of Mrs. J. Jago, of Japan-street, and the last J. Jago, of Casady's Bridge. He was reported missing after the big engagement on 11th April last, but official word was received by his mother through the Rev. W. Edgar Wood, on the 27th November, that he was killed in that battle. Pte. Jago was employed at the Warrnamnbool Woollen Mill for four years prior to enlistment, and his genial dispositionl made him a general favorite with his fellow employes, amongst whom he was regarded as "one of the best." His chief aim in life was to stand by his widowed mother and his younger brothers and sisters. His name appears on the Honor Roll of St. George's Church of England, East Warrannmbool, and on a recent Sunday evening suitable reference was made to his lamented death. He enlisted in March, 1916, and saw constant service from then until he received his fatal wound." - from the Warrnambool Standard 22 Dec 1917 (nla.gov.au)

The readiness with which our soldiers step out into unknown dangers is a sure sign of wonderful courage and those who have fallen in these awful battles deserve the name of heroes. But some have earned the title doubly. Amongst the names of those missing in that fatal April was that of John J. Jago.

He was a simple lad in an obscure home. Poverty knocked hard at the door because of the father's unexpected death; he was the oldest of six small children, and although only in his early teens when that bereavement fell on the home he set himself the task of being a bread winner.

The family lived near Dennington; he walked to the [Warrnambool] Woollen Mill seeking any kind of employment; he was successful, and for some time covered the distance night and morning on foot until the family came to Warrnambool. For several years he plodded, winning praise and promotion. Every penny of his wages he gave to his mother earning his clothes by working overtime and putting in his leisure growing vegetables.

He was always cheerful and would think he was the last man anyone would call a hero. Just about 12 months ago he responded to Duty's more clarion call; but methinks that the first part was the greater because the more difficult.

Source: Warrnambool Standard, 26 May 1917. (Page 8).