CAMERON, John Robert
| Service Number: | 316 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 August 1914, Pontville, Tas. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 12th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Gore, New Zealand, 1881 |
| Home Town: | Yolla, Waratah/Wynyard, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Cambridge High School, New Zealand |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Killed In Action, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Lone Pine Cemetery and Memorial Gallipoli, Çanakkale, Turkey Panel 35 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Lone Pine Memorial to the Missing, Yolla Honour Roll, Yolla Honour Roll Tablet |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 316, 12th Infantry Battalion, Pontville, Tas. | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Oct 1914: | Involvement Private, 316, 12th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Hobart embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Oct 1914: | Embarked Private, 316, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Geelong, Hobart |
Help us honour John Robert Cameron'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 Samuel and Agnes, 3 Millias Street, Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand
Born William Ernest CAMERON
'Followed up alluvial, quartz, osemeridium & all mineral mining from 12 years of age. No other interests. Worked in all States & NZ.' (details from mother)
Statement, Red Cross File No 0680101G, 3357 Pte T.T. SMITH, A Company, 12th Bn, 29 September 1916: 'Jack Cameron was killed at the Peninsula. Pte. Edgar Nicholls No 1 Pl. A. Co. told me he saw him killed. He gave me this information four or five months ago. He is still with the Battalion. Cameron came from Tasmania, I do not know which part.'
Mr J.R. Cameron, Otahuhu, Auckland, wrote to the Salvation Army, 2 January 1922, after 'Missing Friends' Column in the 'War Cry' published a note about a 'J.R. Cameron in the AIF, nearest relative, Gore, New Zealand': About 1898 (23 years ago) my brother, William Ernest Cameron, left N.Z. and at long intervals we had short notes or a newspaper from him from different places in Queensland, N.S.W. & Tasmania. The last time we heard from him was in April 1912. At that time he wrote that he was settled down & had taken up land about 28 miles from Waratah, three years before. It was Crown land settlement, 148 acres all heavy bush and he had taken it up in my name John Robert Cameron. He did not say why but mentioned that there was no need to send 10 pages of advice. If I objected to write him in that name, I need not write at all as he was known as J.R. Cameron there. Nevertheless I wrote willingly and prompt as he wished and received his reply in April, 1912, since when I have heard nothing whatever about him. At that time he was fossicking for iridium and gold on the Savage river and others near there, in certain seasons, and working his selection at other times. I have been thinking that he may have enlisted in that name [J.R. Cameron]. He was born in Gore N.Z, 45 years ago, but has no relations there now. I hardly think he is the man referred to but I would dearly like to hear some news of him. My letters always come back marked unknown, but I have a feeling he is somewhere handy and will turn up sooner of later.'
Miss Ada Hodgetts, Goldie Street, Wynyard, Tasmania, made a statutory declaration, 25 August 1920, that she had no knowledge of the address of Cameron's Mother, and further declared that 'I have a strong claim to the War Medals of the said late No 316 J.R. Cameron by reason the fact that I was very friendly with him and expected to marry him. Although there was no formal engagement we thoroughly understood each other.' Base Records traced the Mother, and she was awarded the War Medals.
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