DEXTER, John
| Service Number: | 6291 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 5th Field Ambulance |
| Born: | Paddington, NSW, 1893 |
| Home Town: | Randwick, Randwick, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Fort Street Boys High School |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Memorials: | Sydney NSW Dept. of Trade and Customs Great War Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 6291, 5th Field Ambulance, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '22' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Lincoln embarkation_ship_number: A17 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 6291, 5th Field Ambulance, HMAT Port Lincoln, Sydney |
Help us honour John Dexter's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of John F Dexter, 'Woodhurst', Avoca Street, Randwick, New South Wales
Military Cross
''During an attack on Peronne on 1st September 1918, he led his men with great gallantry and determination, foring his way, in spite of heavy casualties through a thick belt of wire, in face of heavy machine gun fire. He captured a field gun in Quinconce Wood. He set a splendid example, which greatly encouraged his men throughout the operations.''
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61
Date: 23 May 1919
In a letter from Egypt, Jack Dexter, A.M.C.,
writes;—
I suppose w e’ll soon be in action again, but still, it’s something to say I ’ve been on Gallipoli. It was very strange and nerve wracking at first, being among the shells and bullets. But it’s marvellous how soon you get used, to a certain extent, to the humming and buzzing and noise. The worst part of it all was the suspense at the end. I was fortunate enough to be in it to the end, but as we knew nothing, we did not know how we stood. It had us thinking what the Turks were doing. Everything unusual, even though at any other time it would have been an everyday occurrence, set us on tiptoe, and some pessimist was sure to say “ Oh, they’ve found ont all about it.’ ’ Our boys are grand, you’ve no idea how cheerful they all are at all times. It’s good to be an Australian. We’re back in Egypt now, after a few weeks on Lemnos, where we spent a splendid Christmas. Everywhere I go I meet Fort street boys. Some I know and others I don’t, but a spirit of camaraderie seems to bind us together. I can t remember all their names, but I ’ve seen Capt. Dave Brown, just back from England; Norman Robertson, 5th Field Ambulance; Theo Grace, Erie Hurt, and many others. At present, we’re having a good rest, although, of course, drill is not all cut out. All sorts of rumours are afloat re our next destination. With all sorts of good wishes-to the Staff and boys of good old Fort-street.