Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Australian Remembrance Army

Private John Albert Gillespie (Service Nos: WWI 53023, WWII Q197137), an Australian who served in both World Wars, is among almost 800 previously unmarked WWI veterans’ graves in Lutwyche Cemetery we have now honoured with a plaque recognising their service for Australia.

On 23 September 2023, his plaque was unveiled in Lutwyche Cemetery, along with a further 300 plaques on the previously unmarked graves of Australian World War One veterans:
See Australian Remembrance Army Facebook site

John Albert Gillespie was born on 19 April 1894 on board the ship Sea Breeze to parents John Gillespie and Mary Gillespie (née Graham). The Sea Breeze was used to transport people to New Guinea during the gold rush of the 1890s.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 18 February 1918, aged 25, stating his occupation as pastry cook and naming his brother Rowland as his next of kin. He embarked for active service abroad on 5 May 1918 and, during the voyage, was admitted to hospital at sea three times suffering from rheumatism and influenza. He disembarked at Liverpool on 10 July 1918 and marched into the 9th Training Battalion from Australia. Between July and October, he had three further hospital admissions due to influenza. On 18 November 1918, he marched into the Australian Army Service Corps Training Depot at Fovant, and on 11 December was taken on duty at the Tidworth Bakery.

In April 1919, he was again admitted to hospital suffering from influenza and was later transferred to a hospital in England. He was discharged from hospital on 30 April 1919 and granted furlough until mid-May. Following his recovery, Gillespie was detached for duty with A.A.S.C. Details at A.I.F. Headquarters from 14 May 1919.

He was later marched into the Sports Section, ex-War Chest (Sports), on 14 June 1919 and in July was granted leave pending indefinite recall. He continued to serve in England, receiving further leave through August and September.

In October 1919, he was re-transferred to A.A.S.C. Details and marched out on indefinite leave on 21 October. He left England aboard the Orontes on 25 October 1919, disembarking at Brisbane on 31 December 1919. Private John Albert Gillespie was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane on 4 January 1920 upon the termination of his period of enlistment.

In 1936, John Gillespie was living on Cribb Island and working as a cook. During the Second World War, he enlisted in the Australian Military Forces with the 1st Labour Company at Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, on 30 July 1940, aged 44, while residing in Lota, Brisbane. He named his wife, Elinor Mary Gillespie, as his next of kin and was discharged in October 1940 due to myocardial deficiency and bronchitis. By 1949, he was living at Raby Bay and continued working as a cook, and by 1954 he and his wife had moved to a housing settlement at Kalinga, Brisbane.

Private John Albert Gillespie died on 15 June 1955, aged 61, and was buried two days later in Anzac Portion 8, Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane.

After decades without recognition at his place of burial, his grave now bears a plaque commemorating his service to Australia — ensuring his name endures among those remembered for their duty and sacrifice. His identity and dignity have now been restored.

We have remembered him.
Lest We Forget.