DEWAR, John Robert Ferguson
| Service Number: | 10783 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 September 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Driver |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Divisional Signal Company |
| Born: | Millicent, South Australia , 18 September 1883 |
| Home Town: | Norwood (SA), South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Glenelg South, 20 June 1968, aged 84 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Adelaide Grand Masonic Lodge WW1 Honour Board (2), Norwood St Bartholomew's Anglican Church Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 13 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Driver | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 May 1916: | Involvement Driver, 10783, 3rd Divisional Signal Company, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '6' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
| 25 May 1916: | Embarked Driver, 10783, 3rd Divisional Signal Company, HMAT Ascanius, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
John Robert Ferguson Dewar was born on the 15th of August 1883 in the town Millicent to his mother Mrs Francis Dewar and his father John Dewar. He had five siblings: William, Albert, Archibald, Harry, and Isabella. On his Attestation Papers he listed his employment as a Sharebroker's Clerk, nominating his mother as his next of kin.
He was the age of 31 and 11 months at the time of enlistment, which was 13th of September 1915. His standing height was 5 foot and 7 inches, chest width 33 - 35 1/2, and weighed 127 pounds. His papers describe that he had blue eyes, brown hair, and a fair complexion. He was placed into the initial role of driver. He married Emma Doris James on 16th October 1915 before he embarked.
Dewar embarked overseas from Melbourne on HMAT Ascanius 25th May 1916 and disembarked in England 18th July 1916. He proceeded overseas to France 23rd November 1916. He was a part of the 3rd Divisional Signal Company as a Driver. While in France he was sent to the Hospital for mumps in 14th February 1917. He rejoined this unit 12th March 1917.
On 29th September 1917 he was granted leave to UK, and rejoined his unit 12th October. On the 16th October he was then hospitalised for 51 days due to an infection. He rejoined his unit in the field 11th December 1917.
Dewar was again hospitalised, this time with influenza 14th February 1918. He rejoined his unit 23rd February 1918. In October he was detached to the Australian Base Post Office. He had then reverted to his substantive rank of sapper as he was being processed for demobilisation on 24th February 1919
Finally, on the 1st April 1919 Dewar embarked from England to return to Australia aboard the Shropshire. He disembarked 13th May and was discharged 28th June 1919.
Dewar died in 1968 at the age of 84. He was buried at, Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia.
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