MITCHELL, Joseph
| Service Number: | 2775 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 3 August 1915, Brisbane, Qld. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 15th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | England, 1877 |
| Home Town: | South Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | England |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Southport, Qld., 23 December 1925, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Southport General Cemetery, Gold Coast |
| Memorials: | Coorparoo Roll of Honor, Holland Park Mount Gravatt Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 3 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2775, 15th Infantry Battalion, Brisbane, Qld. | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sep 1915: | Involvement Private, 2775, 15th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ayrshire embarkation_ship_number: A33 public_note: '' | |
| 1 Sep 1915: | Embarked Private, 2775, 15th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ayrshire, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
MR. JOSEPH MITCHELL.
SOUTHPORT Wednesday. — The death occurred at Southport this morning of Mr. Joseph Mitchell, at the age of 49 years. Mr. Mitchell was born in England and prior to coming to Queensland about 20 years ago, he resided for many years in Victoria. He has lived at Southport for the past six years, and was well known to visiting anglers and boating men. Mr.Mitchell served with the 15th Battalion in the Australian Imperial Forces on Gallipoll, and since his return from the front he has suffered from the effects of the war. He is survived by a widow and sons (Norman, Frank, Joseph, and Robert). The funeral took place to the Southport Cemetery this afternoon and was largely attended. Four returned soldiers in uniform acted as pall-bearers, and Rev. E. W. Mend conducted the service at the graveside.
Biography contributed by Ian Lang
Son of John and Selina MITCHELL
Joseph Mitchell was 38 years old when he enlisted on 9th August 1915. He was married to Lucy Mitchell and they had four sons. Their home address was Victor Street, Holland Park. Joseph had been born in Kidderminster, Worcestershire and he gave his occupation as labourer.
Joseph was drafted into the 15th Battalion at Enoggera and within three months found himself in the trenches at Gallipoli. When the peninsula was evacuated, Joseph reported sick initially with bronchitis and was eventually hospitalised at the #1 Australian General Hospital in Cairo with bronchitis and rheumatism. The months of early 1916 in Egypt saw the AIF going through a massive restructure, whereby original battalions were split to form the nucleus of two new battalions. The 15th Battalion was one such unit that was split to provide the core of the 47th Battalion. At the same time, the Australian command was keen to dispense with men who may not be able to fill the roles required on the western front. The AIF was awash with new recruits in early 1916 (so different from 1917 and 1918) and could afford to be choosy.
Given his age and his chronic rheumatism (in all likelihood brought on by the appalling conditions on Gallipoli the previous winter), Joseph was returned to Australia on the Hospital Ship “Karoola”. He was formally discharged in Brisbane on 6th September 1916. Joseph, Lucy and the four boys each received a military pension.
By 1918 the manpower shortage in the AIF was acute. Perhaps out of wishing to make a contribution, and having overcome his disability, Joseph presented himself for re-enlistment. He was now 42 years old. He was accepted into the Sea Transport Services as a corporal on 19th June 1918, and with his pension now cancelled, sailed for England on a transport. Joseph returned to Australia on the “Runic” which was transporting sick and wounded back to Australia on 23rd September. By the time the “Runic” berthed in Melbourne, the war had come to an end and Joseph was discharged on 15th February 1919 in Brisbane.