Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born 31 December 1895 in Hindmarsh, Adelaide, South Australia
(SA Birth Record 1842 - 1906 Book: 577 Page: 331 District: Hin.)

Father Henry RIDDELL and Mother Mrs Millicent Hannah Riddell (nee Thacker),
living at Henry Street, Croydon Park, SA.

Siblings:
Brother    Henry Arthur Kidner RIDDELL
                 (b. 27/2/1891 Hindmarsh, SA - d. ____)

Brother    Eric Thacker RIDDELL
                 (b. 9/1/1894 Brompton Park, SA - d. ____)

Sister       Marcelline Kate RIDDELL
                 (b. 4/6/1897 Hindmarsh, SA - d. ____)

Sister       Millicent Gertrude RIDDELL
                 (b. 2/7/1899 Hindmarsh, SA - d. ____)

Next of kin in service:
Brother    2146 Private Eric Thacker RIDDELL
                 13/12/1915 enlisted in Adelaide, SA
                 16/3/1916   embarked on board HMAT A68 Anchises
                 12/6/1919   returned to Australia as a Sapper with 1st Field Squadron Engineers

Previous service:
74th Infantry Citizens Forces

Service No. 5878  (& 8957)

Prior to enlisting John lived at Woodhouse Estate, Bridgewater, South Australia.

Described on enlisting as 19 years old; Labourer; single; 5' 5" tall; 9 stone 12 lbs;
fair complexion; light blue eyes; fair hair; Methodist

31/12/1914    "1st" enlisted at Oaklands, South Australia

31/12/1914    Commanding Officer appointed John to Base Light Horse, B Squadron,
                     at Oaklands Camp

26/5/1915      "1st" embarked from Outer Harbour, Port Adelaide, on board HMAT Afric A19
                     as a Driver with the 4th Light Horse Brigade Train

14/9/1915       admitted to hospital, Suez, Egypt
8/10/1915       discharged

4/11/1915       returned to Australia on board Karoola

14/1/1916       discharged from service in AIF - medically unfit

Became a Clerk in the Commonwealth Public Service in South Australia.

Service No. 4357

Prior to enlisting John lived at Henry Street, Croydon Park, with his parents.

Described on enlisting as 20 years 9 months old; single; 5' 4 1/2" tall; 128 lbs;
medium complexion; brown eyes; brown hair; Methodist

22/9/1916        completed medical

25/9/1916        "2nd" enlistment at Oaklands, South Australia
                       C Company, 2nd Depot Battalion AIF

24/10/1916      Mitcham Camp

6/11/1916        promoted to Lance Corporal

7/11/1916        "2nd" embarkation from Outer Harbour, Port Adelaide on board HMAT A19 Afric
                       as a Private with 11th reinforcements, 32nd Infantry Battalion
9/1/1917          disembarked into Plymouth, England

9/1/1917          marched in to 8th Training Battalion, from Australia

10/1/1917        promoted to Acting Corporal, 8th Training Battalion

26/1/1917        admitted to North West Hospital, Hampstead
22/2/1917        marched in to 8th Training Battalion, Hurdcott, from hospital Fovant

5/4/1917          proceeding overseas to France, via Folkestone, England

7/4/1917          reverts to rank of Private on marching into 5th Australian Division Base Depot

12/4/1917         taken on strength into 32nd Battalion from reinforcements

8/5/1917           to hospital sick
                        admitted to 2nd Australian General Hospital, Wimereux, England
19/5/1917         admitted to Wanstead Red Cross Hospital, Shorncliffe

16/7/1917         proceeding overseas to France, ex overseas training depot, via Paraham Downs

4/12/1917         shell concussion, to hospital

12/2/1918         proceed on detachment to 5th Australian Divisional Head Quarters,
                        ex Australian Infantry Base Depot, H B Personnel

17/2/1918         taken on strength from Australian Base Depot, Havre France ex 32 nd Infantry
                        Battalion into Australian Employee Company, France

21/9/1918         sick to hospital, in the field, France

25/10/1918        transferred to 6th Australian Depot Unit of Supply (ADUS),
                        from Australian Employee Company, France

18/1/1919          to hospital sick, in the field. admitted to 24th Field Ambulance
                         admitted to 44th Casualty Clearing Station, in the field
24/1/1919          to ambulance train, in the field
26/1/1919          admitted to 84th Stationary Hospital
9/2/1919            transferred to 1st London General Hospital, England
13/2/1919          admitted to 3rd Australian General Hospital, Dartford

24/2/1919          discharged to furlough (leave)

1/4/1919            returned to Australia on board HT Shropshire
13/5/1919          disembarked into Australia  

10/8/1919          discharged from service in AIF (WWI)

Medals:
1914/15 Star (6449);  British War medal ( 7262) and Victory medal (7199)

Last lived at Glenelg, South Australia.

20/5/1987          John passed away  (91 years old)
cremated in:       West Terrace Cemetery
                         West Terrace, Adelaide, SA
                         Section: Barker; Path No. 7; E/W: E;  Site No. 46  (Grant Expires: 28/09/2029)

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  2/6/2015.  Lest we forget.