S47277
INGHAM, John William
| Service Number: | 1050 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 10 September 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 4th Infantry Brigade Headquarters |
| Born: | Adelaide, South Australia , April 1888 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Poultry farmer |
| Died: | Adelaide, South Australia, 16 May 1953, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Mitcham Anglican Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Dublin WW1 & WW2 Roll of Honor, Dublin War Memorial, Lower North Adelaide War Memorial WW1, North Adelaide Christ Church Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 10 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1050, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Dec 1914: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 1050, 16th Infantry Battalion (WW1), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 20 Sep 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1050, 4th Infantry Brigade Headquarters, Third Ypres | |
| 22 Feb 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1050, 4th Infantry Brigade Headquarters |
Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal - Sergeant John William ('Jack') INGHAM HQ 4th Infantry Brigade
'For conspicuously good work and devotion to duty during the period 22nd September 1917 - 24th February 1918. In the recent operations at POLYGON WOOD and ZONNEBEKE the Brigade and dumps were always kept replenished, due to the energy and foresight displayed by this N.C.O. Regardless of danger he has performed his duties to the utmost satisfaction and set a fine example to those working under him.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 110
Date: 25 July 1918
Submitted 15 November 2021 by Steve Larkins
Biography contributed by Xavier Two Wells
John William Ingham was born in April 1888. He was born in Adelaide, South Australia and was a Poultry Farmer. Ingham was single, a Methodist, and had blue eyes, blonde hair, pale skin, and stood at 5’5".
Ingham enlisted September 10th, 1914. He embarked on Troopship A40 Ceramic on December 22nd, 1914, from Melbourne, Victoria. He fought in the 4th Australian Infantry Brigade and the 16th Battalion, and served a total of 4 years and 157 days.
While at Gallipoli he was wounded with a shrapel wound to his right hand 10th May 1915. After treatment he returned to the field 14 June 1915. October he was promoted to Corporal. After the Australians withdrew from Gallipoli Ingham was transferred to4th Brigade Headquarters in Egypt and was promoted to Lance Sergeant and Acting Quartermaster. He proceeded to France disembarking at Marseilles 7th June 1916. He received a Orchitis injury a few days later and was hospitalised for a couple of weeks before rejoining his unit 18 July 1916.
Ingham was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his excellent conduct. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his “For conspicuously good work and devotion to duty during the period 22nd September 1917 - 24th February 1918. In the recent operations at POLYGON WOOD and ZONNEBEKE the Brigade and dumps were always kept replenished, due to the energy and foresight displayed by this N.C.O. Regardless of danger he has performed his duties to the utmost satisfaction and set a fine example to those working under him.” (UNSW Australia, 2024)
The Battle of Polygon Wood, fought from 26th September to 3rd October 1917, was part of the Third Battle of Ypres and a Plumer Battle, led by the British General Herbert Plumer. The battles were fought near the village of Zonnebeke. The I Anzac advance line was behind a forest, and advanced behind a massive artillery barrage. The Germans had attacked the day before, but the Australians and British achieved most of their objectives and successfully fought off several German attacks. (Australian War Memorial, 2025)
After this, Ingham became sick with a gastric disease, but later returned to serve in the final stages of the war. These types of diseases were very common in WW1 and were caused by stress, the trenches and poor hygiene. (Yale University Library Online Exhibitions, 2023)
After over four years of dedicated service, Ingham embarked on a return to Australia on October 12, 1918, aboard the Austral, and was discharged in December.
At the age of 31, Ingham married Florence, who was 30, in 1919. On May 8th, 1920, they welcomed their first child, John Wakelin. On 3rd December 1921, they had a second child, Ross Esmond. Edna Myrtle, their third child, was welcomed on April 24th, 1924. John died at age 65 and lived the remainder of his life in North Adelaide. (Find a Grave, 2025)
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