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War Memorial
Australia

Born John Percival McDERMOTT

Son of John McDERMOTT and Lydia nee DENISON of Union Street, Kensington, SA

Death registered as Percival John McDERMOTT

Percy John McDermott was born near the town of Plympton, SA to Lydia Nee Denison John McDermott on the 24th of February 1895. At 19 years old, he served in the First World War from February 10th, 1915 until he was discharged on the 16th of February 1919. Before the war began, he was unmarried and still living in his family home on Union Street, Kensington, SA.

Before serving in the war, McDermott served in the Colonial Forces 19 Infantry, providing him some earlier training prior to his enlistment. While still living in Australia, McDermott’s job was as a Machinist and for almost 6 years, he had an apprenticeship in mechanics.

When McDermott first enlisted, he was 19, almost 20 years old, meaning he required a letter granting him permission to serve from his mother. It was with this letter that he enlisted with a height of 5’8 1/2 and a chest measurement of 34 1/2 inches, meeting the requirements at the time. His fair complexion, grey eyes and fair hair made his easily recognisable as a Natural Born British Subject, yet another requirement to be met before serving in the war.

From the 8th of February 1915, Percy trained with “H” Battalion Infantry. He embarked overseas 10/9/15 from Melbourne. He then served in the 4th Company Australian Army Service Corps (AASC). The AASC was an army organisation formed long before WW1. The 4th Company was formed during the expansion of the Australian Imperial Forces (The AIF) in February 1916. The Division was based mainly in Egypt, where McDermott would have spent much of his time serving from the 18th of October, 1915. His job while serving was as a driver. Drivers would drive and take care of the trains that supplied soldiers in the field with supplies and messages. These could include food, water, petrol, artillery and ammunition and medical supplies along with many other basic needs in the war zone. Not only did drivers provide units with supplies, but they also drove field ambulances, operated machines such as snow ploughs and sledges. As a part of their job, they were required to repaired equipment used by the units and any machines used in and off the field.

Sickness was common in the war and McDermott had his fair share of it. On the 21st of April 1916, he was admitted to hospital with Diarrhoea. He spent many days in hospital recovering before he was released from hospital and sent back to his unit on the 27 of April. Once he returned to his unit, McDermott was put to duty, serving in the 4 company AASC once again. Later in 1916, the Division were given orders to move to the Western front. They were relocated to Somme, France, where Percy spent much of his time serving. The division spent the winter of 1916-1917, where they had to endure the extremely cold, wet and damp conditions. This could be one of the main causes of the sickness that spread through the men. In this time, McDermott went to hospital sick on the 7 of September 1916, but after a quick recovery, he was sent back to his unit from hospital on the 15 of September 1916. Although he was sent back to his unit, he was given extra time to recover and regain some fitness, so he did not join his unit in the field or France until 5 days later, on the 20th of September. McDermott continued to serve in France until he took leave on the 12th of July 1917.

Before the 10th of October 1918, McDermott was serving as Wheeler Private, the driver of a train. This position was taken at his own request. It was on the 10th, that he was promoted to Temporary Wheeler Corporal. This position was later made permanent while he was serving in France. At the end of the war, McDermott was marched out of France through Le Harve. This was the main French port at the time, where he boarded the ship Weymouth on the 4 of February 1919. On the same day, McDermott was transferred to the Overseas Training Brigade to England.

On the 5th of February 1919, he was admitted to hospital sick and was diagnosed with Influenza. Then, on February 16th, McDermott was released from hospital back to his Training Brigade in England. On April 18th, 1919, McDermott returned to Australia on the ship HMS Suffolk. The last unit he served in was 1st divisional train.  He received several medals for his service in WW1 once he arrived home. He was awarded with three medals, including the 1914-15 Star, a British War Medal and a Victory Medal. Once arriving home in Australia, McDermott married before his death on the 11th of April, 1964. He was buried at Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia on the 25th of May, 1964.