Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

There are two entries in the AWM Roll of Honour for him, in one he is named James William POWELL and the other John William POWELL.

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889 - 1931) Tuesday 24 October 1899

THE TRANSVAAL CONTINGENT.

THE THIRD SUBALTERN. CAPTAIN HAY'S RETIREMENT. LIEUTENANT J.W. POWELL APPOINTED.

The Chief Secretary (Hon. J.V. O'Loghlin) has received the following letter from Captain James Hay, of the Adelaide Mounted Rifles, who was appointed senior subaltern of the Transvaal contingent on Friday last: — "The difficulty —in connection with a private trusteeship —of leaving Adelaide at the present moment, which I informed you of on Friday afternoon, when you did me the honor to offer me a position in the contingent, has, I regret to say, become insurmountable. Under the circumstances, I am compelled to ask leave to retire from the position, and trust my doing so will cause no inconvenience." As soon as the Government received the communication from Captain Hay declining the position of subaltern, they wired to Lieutenant Powell, of the Mount Gambier Company of Rifles, offering him the vacancy. On Monday afternoon a reply was received accepting the position, and Lieu tenant Powell will therefore rank as the third subaltern in command of the contingent. He leaves Mount Gambier by this morning's train, and will, on arrival, in Adelaide, report himself at the camp. Lieutenant John William Powell, who is   one of Captain Howland's subalterns in the Mount Gambier D Company, 2nd Battalion Infantry Reserve, has a good reputation as a soldier. He is a son of the late Mr. John Powell, and is 37 years of age. His lieutenant's commission was conferred in 1897. Lieutenant Powell is a single man, and by occupation a farmer. The appointment has given general satisfaction, especially in 2nd Battalion circles.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article29518610

South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA: 1839 - 1900) Tuesday 27 February 1900

THE LATE LIEUTENANT POWELL.

MOUNT GAMBIER, February 25.

This forenoon a memorial service for the late Lieutenant J. W. Powell, who was killed in South Africa, was held in the Institute Hall, it being feared that Christ Church would be altogether too small for the demands that would be made for accommodation. There were about 65 members of the Mount Gambier Infantry Company and 30 members of the Mounted Rifles present, besides nearly 90 Oddfellows and 60 Rechabites in funeral regalia. The hall, which accommodates 650 people, was crowded to suffocation, and about 500 people who desired to be present were unable to enter. The service was a solemn and impressive one. The Rev. P. Crozier, curate, led the prayers, and the Ven. Arch deacon Young read the lesson and preached the sermon. Besides the usual prayers the special ones used on Intercession Day were repeated. The Archdeacon preached an impressive sermon from 1 Kings xxii, 4.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54430804

Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA: 1861 - 1954) Wednesday 20 June 1900

MEMORIAL OF THE LATE LIEUT. POWELL.

—The photographic memorial of the late Lieut. J. W. Powell, ordered some months ago by the Mount Gambier Lodge of Oddfellows, M.U., was completed on Monday by Mr. P. C. Kook, of the Dana Studio, and sent round in the evening to the Lodge room. It is very artistically finished, and forms a handsome memento of the late officer, who was a Past-Grand of the lodge, and an active member, the full size of the picture is 36in. by 28in. inside the massive gilt frame which encloses it. In the centre is a capital enlarged photograph of the deceased officer, 18in, by 24in., showing him in uniform, sitting down. At the left hand top corner of the picture is a photograph of the home at "The Quarries" of the deceased's mother, which was also Lieut. Powell's home when here. At the right top corner a characteristic Mount Gambier lake view has been placed. On the left side, opposite the centre of the late Lieut. Powell's likeness, is a photograph of his father, the late Mr. John Powell, who was an enthusiastic Oddfellow; and on the right side a likeness of his mother. At the left bottom corner is a view of the kopje and surroundings at Maeder's farm, near Rensburg, where he was killed, and in the opposite space a photograph of the camp of the South Australian 1st Contingent and other Australians at Rensburg, Just over the photograph of Lieut. Powell are the words, neatly engrossed, "In memory of our late Brother Pas-t Grand John William Powell, who was killed near Rensburg, South Africa, February 12th, 1900. Subscribed for by the members of the Mount Gambier Lodge, No. 47, I.O.O.F., M.U." Between the two South African pictures underneath is the verse—

A South Australian soldier—hats off to him I say;   

A South Australian soldier, who went to face the fray.

We gave him to the Empire, with a blessing on his head;

We found his name one morning in the long list of the dead;

"Killed—Lieut. Powell—while leading on the rest;

A Bible in his pocket, a portrait on his breast."

 Mr. Kook must be complimented on the excellence of his work. The picture was framed by Mrs. A. Oates. The photographs from which the South African scenes were copied were sent from South Africa by Capt. Howland to Mrs. Howland.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article81040326