HURST, John
| Service Number: | 11577 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Gunner |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Kogarah Pictorial Honour Roll No.1, Rockdale Municipal Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 15 Jan 1916: | Involvement Gunner, 11577, 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '22' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: RMS Osterley embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 1916: | Embarked Gunner, 11577, 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column, RMS Osterley, Sydney |
John Hurst
Name: John Hurst
Service Number: 11577
Place of Birth: Manchester, England
Date of Birth: Not available
Place of Enlistment: Victoria Barracks, Sydney, New South Wales
Date of Enlistment: 16 October 1915
Age at Enlistment: 27 years 10 months
Marital status: Single
Next of Kin: Father – John Hurst
Occupation: Electrical fitter
Religion: Church of England
Rank: Gunner 2nd Divisional Ammunition Column
Biographical details:
John left Australia on board HMAT RMS Osterley on 15 January 1915 and with his unit arrived at Zeitoun, Egypt, on 14 February 1916.John embarked at Alexandria on 20 March, disembarking at Marsailles on 27 March. He was transferred to Divisional Base Depot on 20 May. John was assessed by the Army Medical Board as having “defective vision” and was admitted to No.9 Hospital at Le Havre on 14 June. He was invalided to England on board H.S. Brighton on 15 June, where he was admitted to the 1st Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield on 26 June. Due to his medical condition John was discharged to No.1 Command Depot, Penham Downs on 30 June.
Being absent without leave led to John having to forfeit two days’ pay on 9 April 1917. John was admitted to Tidsworth Military Hospital for treatment for boils on 29 September, receiving additional treatment at “Delhi” Military Hospital at Tedworth, Salisbury Plain,England on 1 October. He was absent without leave again on 29 October and at Sutton Veny he neglected to obey an order for which he forfeited another two days’ pay on 31 December.
Due to his defective vision, John was returned to Australia on board RMS Osterley on 31 January, arriving on 15 April. He was discharged on 18 July 1918(1).
Fruit Block Details:
John Hurst occupied Block 610 of 20 acres at 38 Eastern Road on 1 December 1921. John had a share farming dispute with Mr.E.Lunn at Glenforslan Estate between Waikerie and Blanchetown. The court hearing resulted in John winning his suit for damages. When Michael Dwyer had to surrender his block in 1925, John obtained the transfer of the lease. Michael complained to the Royal Commission on the Soldier-Settler Scheme, that he was being overcharged for post strainers and fencing wire purchased for his property(2).
Other Anecdotal Information:
Mrs.J.Hurst’s only son, Frank Baldwin, married Audrey Jennings of Monash at the Berri Church of Christ on 9 August 1941, with the reception held at the RAOB Hall, Monash(3).
1.National Australian Archives: B2455; Hurst J; Barcode 6920061
2. Barmera Berri Council, Berri Barmera & Districts Local History Collection.
3. Trove/ The Murray Pioneer & The Australian River Record 6 June 1925. 3. Ibid 21 August 1941.
Submitted 5 October 2023 by christopher collins