SEWELL, Joseph Augustine
| Service Number: | 5434 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 January 1916, Liverpool, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 55th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Essington, New South Wales, Australia , 1 November 1891 |
| Home Town: | Rockley, Bathurst Regional, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Essington Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Stone mason (rock-chopper) |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 9 March 1917, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
Bancourt British Cemetery V B 19 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bathurst War Memorial Carillon |
World War 1 Service
| 10 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 5434, Liverpool, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Apr 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 5434, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 14 Apr 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 5434, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Sydney | |
| 9 Mar 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 5434, 55th Infantry Battalion, The Outpost Villages - German Withdrawal to Hindenburg Line, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 5434 awm_unit: 55th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1917-03-09 |
Joseph Augusitne Sewell
Joseph Augusitne Sewell of 55th Battalion 3rd company.
The 9th of March 1917, marked 100 years since Joseph Augustine Sewell was killed in action in the trenches at the battle of the Somme near “Cameron Sap” or “Sunray Trench”. Joseph then was just 25 years of age. When they were shelled, some soldiers were injured. Joseph Augustine was killed by a shell along with “Schafer” and Arthur Oakes. All three were buried where they fell. Their graves then only held their rifles with tickets bearing their names. He was just about recognisable.
Joseph Augustine used to be called Gus by his mates. Gus was described as being fairly stout 5 feet 8 inches high with a red face. Gus was known to be a quiet fellow and was liked by his mates. Gus left Australia on the “Geramic” on 14 Apr 1916 together with Private W. Murphy, D company of 55th battalion.
Gilda and I visited the grave of Joseph Augustine in June 2004. He now lays buried in Bancourt. I guess we were the first family to ever visit his grave. We left flowers I came back twice, Once more with Gilda and once with my sister Margaret. Then once again we must think why these young man (including my grandfather F. E Nelson) came to Europe to fight and risk, or lose, their lives. It was to fight in the war TO END ALL WARS ……
LEST WE FORGET.
Submitted 8 November 2017 by Philip Bodenstaff