RANKIN, John
| Service Number: | 2006 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 January 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 13th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1888 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Bridge carpenter |
| Died: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 23 September 1931, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
St Bartholomew's Anglican Cemetery, Prospect, NSW |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Jan 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2006, 13th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Apr 1915: | Involvement Private, 2006, 13th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Kyarra embarkation_ship_number: A55 public_note: '' | |
| 13 Apr 1915: | Embarked Private, 2006, 13th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Kyarra, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
John Rankin stated on enlistment in Sydney that he was born in Canada and his next of kin was his brother, James Rankin of Toronto, Canada.
John served on Gallipoli from 13 July 1915. He was evacuated from Gallipoli to Malta, sick with dysentery and enteric during August 1915. He was sent to England for treatment soon after.
It was 15 August 1916 before he rejoined the 13th Battalion at the front in France. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 5 January 1917.
The 13th Battalion was to attack Stormy Trench on the night of 4 February 1917. During it Lt.-Col. Harry Murray of the 13th won his V.C. and it was a famous night in the history of the Battalion.
John was recommended for an award on the night. When the 13th Battalion entered the enemy trench, the German barrage, as before, was swift, accurate, and heavy. The bomb-carriers, stretcher-bearers, German prisoners, suffered heavy loss as crossed No Mans Land. This continued throughout the night, the bomb-carrying parties, of which Rankin was a member, in particular crossing No-Man’s Land again and again.
Rankin’s recommendation states,
“On the night 4/5th February, during the attack on enemy trenches East of Gueudecourt, Lance- Corporal Rankin was detailed to command the party carrying grenades to his Company. Moving out with the first wave, he and his men were able to establish a small reserve of grenades within two minutes of the attainment of our objective. Afterwards he made six trips to and from the advanced dump, each time crossing through an intense barrage. He was wounded while making his seventh attempt.”
John Rankin was severely wounded, and his left leg was amputated soon after. He was returned to Australia on 1 November 1917. He died in Sydney during 1931, at only 43 years of age.
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