Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John was the son of John Wesley LAWRY & Ellen DONNEN and was born on the 12th of January 1876 in Langhorne Creek, SA.

His parents were married on the 15th of January 1859 in Adelaide, SA.

His father was the son of Richard LAWRY & Judith CHOAK and was born on the 6th of February 1838 in Cornwall, England.
His mother was the daughter of Anthony DONNEN & Nancy GIBSON and was born in 1838in County Down, Northern Ireland.

John was the eight child born into the family of 10 children.

His father was a farmer and they lived in Langhorne Creek.

By 1882 the family had moved to Laura and John attended the Laura Public School and then gained employment as a labourer.

John married Caroline JUSTICE on the 21st of March 1903 in Queenstown, SA.
Caroline was the daughter of Ferdinando JUSTICE & Charlotte Sarah HARDING and was born on the 23rd of May 1882 in Portland Estate, SA.

They welcomed their first child; Alexander Percival, on the 4th of February 1907 in Kensington.

On the 10th of September 1915 his brother Henry enlisted into the 9th Light Horse Regiment, 12th Reinforcements.

At the age of 41, John enlisted into the AIF on the 13th of April 1916 in Quorn and allotted the service number 2035 and posted to B Company, 2nd Depot Battalion in Mitcham Camp. He was then posted to the 37th Battalion, 8th Reinforcements on the 18th of May and then the 50th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements on the 1st of July.

He embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT Seang Bee on the 13th of July 1916, disembarked in Plymouth on the 9th of September and marched into No.12 Camp at Larkhill.
On the 25th of October John was transferred to the 43rd Battalion, D Company

John served in France and was wounded 3 times before finally embarked for England on the 29th of April whilst awaiting embarkation home to Australia.
He embarked from England on the 8th of July 1919 on board HT Friedrichsruh and disembarked in Adelaide on the 29th of August.

John was discharged from the AIF on the 13th of October 1919.

John rejoined Caroline and little Alexander, who were living at 60 North Terrace, Adelaide and gained employment as a labourer.
The following year they moved to Leslie Place, Portland Estate and then sadly, Caroline died on the 12th of June 1921 in the Adelaide Hospital from Carcinoma of the Cervix and John buried her the following day in the Cheltenham Cemetery.

John returned to Jamestown and gained employment with Mr Kelly & Mr Merrifield Butchers.

John died on the 12th of May 1936 in the Jamestown Hospital and was buried the following day in the Jamestown Cemetery; Section D, Row K, Plot 14.

It is unknown if Alexander lived with John after Caroline died as his obituary stated he was a widow with no family.

Military

At the age of 41, John enlisted into the AIF on the 13th of April 1916 in Quorn and allotted the service number 2035 and posted to B Company, 2nd Depot Battalion in Mitcham Camp.
He listed his wife, of Rosewater, Pt Adelaide, as his next of kin.

John was then posted to the 37th Battalion, 8th Reinforcements on the 18th of May and then the 50th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements on the 1st of July.

He embarked from Adelaide on board HMAT Seang Bee on the 13th of July 1916, disembarked in Plymouth on the 9th of September and marched into No.12 Camp at Larkhill.

On the 25th of October John was transferred to the 43rd Battalion, D Company and trained here until towards the end of November. When they had been fully equipped for overseas, a divisional march, covering a distance of eighteen miles, was accomplished, the full issue of clothing and equipment, less blankets, being carried, the day proving most strenuous on account of the oppressive heat.

During the first three weeks of November final preparations and issue of equipment for the trip overseas were completed, and the dates of departure of the Division were expected to cover the last week of November 1916, the 43rd Battalion eventually sailing on the 25th, prior to which the camp was thoroughly cleaned and the bulk of stores returned.

The early morning of November 25th was a repetition of June 9th. For the purpose of the move the Battalion was divided into three parties, leaving Lark Hill Camp in time to entrain at Amesbury Station by 7.15am. The weight of equipment carried by each man was far in excess of that borne on any previous march, as in addition to full marching order, two blankets, 150 rounds of ammunition, with steel and gas helmets, made a burden in all cases exceeding 80 lb.
At dusk the trip across the Channel commenced and a heavy sea was experienced, causing sea sickness to many on board, while a bleak wind with frequent showers of hail made the entry into the harbour at Le Havre and the period of waiting intensely cold.

Disembarkation and unloading commenced at 11 am and during the afternoon there followed the memorable route march to No.1 Rest Camp, situated on a hill about three miles from the wharf. Here they remained for the night, leaving at 6.30am next morning for the railway yards, where a troop train, consisting chiefly of cattle trucks, was waiting, and at 11.30am they left for Bailleul.
The journey, via Rouen, Abbeville, Boulogne, Calais, and St. Omer, occupied thirty hours, halts being made en route for the issue of rations and hot drinks.
Detraining was completed before dark, but by the time the unit moved from the station night had set in. For the march to billets, packs and blankets were carried by motor lorry. Locating these billets caused great difficulty, owing to the lack of information and absence of guides, and it was not until after 10 pm that they were settled for the night.

On December 23rd, in a high wind and through heavy rain, a march to new billets in Armentieres was carried out. They, with the 44th Battalion, formed support to the 41st and 42nd Battalions.
Christmas Day 1916 was celebrated in the morning with working parties to the line and in the evening by a dinner, extra supplies being obtained through Comforts and Regimental Funds.

They spent February 1917 in and out of the front line and whilst in billets the raiding school continued training in bayonet fighting, physical exercises, patrolling, study of aeroplane photographs and practice of raiding formations on dummy trenches.

In late April they were in Ploegsteert Wood, relieving the 42nd Battalion and then on the 1st of May they left Armentieres and joined the remainder of the Brigade at Les Trois Tilleuls, proceeding through Steenwerck and Vieux Berquin to Petit See Bois. The following day they moved through Pradelles, Borre, and Hazebrouck to billets at Ebblinghem.
After 2 weeks here they commenced their journey back to Armentiers and by the 7th of June had moved to Messines and took part in the Battle.

Throughout the whole time in this area enemy aircraft proved exceptionally active, especially in the early morning, when low-flying planes engaged trenches and movement with machine gun fire.
The famous Red Circus, commanded by Baron von Richthoven, was stationed in the area and was a constant source of worry to both infantry and artillery.

As casualties were caused daily, chiefly from shell fire, the strain of sitting under continuous bombardments told on the nerves of everybody.
The whilst on patrol on the 6th of July John suffered a Gun Sot Wound to his arm and was admitted into the 9th Australian Field Ambulance and then transferred to the 11th Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul.
He did not remain here for very long as the previous night the 11th Casualty Clearing Station had been severely bombed by the enemy, resulting in 30 killed and 65 wounded, including 2 nursing sisters killed.

He was then transferred to the 13th General Hospital in Bolougne for 4 days before being discharged to No.1 Command Depot in Bolougne.
After 6 weeks here John rejoined his Battalion on the 26th of August, who was in billets at Abrouzt.
They spent September here in training until the moved to a camp at Poperinge on the 27th.
They remained here resting and training until the 2nd of October when they entrained for Ypres for the offensive.
On the 4th of October they advanced to take up the front line and during this advancement John suffered a Gun Shot Wound to his cheek and right hand and was transferred to the 37th Casualty Clearing Station in Godewaersvelde by the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance.

He was then transferred to the 11th General Hospital in Camiers and then invalided to England on the 13th and admitted into the 2nd Birmingham War Hospital the following day.
After 4 weeks recovering he was granted 4 weeks furlough on the 4th of November and then reported to No.3 Command Depot in Hurdcott on the 17th.
On the 5th of December he was transferred to No.4 Command Depot in Hurdcott, where he spent Christmas 1917 before being posted to Sand Hill Overseas Training Brigade in Longbridge Deverill on New Years Day 1918.

John proceeded back to France on the 17th of January 1918 and rejoined his Battalion on the 23rd, in camp at Locre.
Four days later they marched to Romarin Camp, near Neuve Eglise and then the following day they marched to Le Rossignol camp for more training.
General Birdwood visited them on the morning of the 5th of February and then at 4:45pm they left this camp and marched to Oosthove Farm and then entrained to Delennelle where the moved forward to the front line trenches at Le Bizet.
After 7 days in the front line they were relieved and returned to Le Rossignol camp until the 22nd when they rotated back into the front line.

By March they had moved into the trenches at Le Touquet before moving back to Le Rossignol camp and then onto Kortepyp camp.
Their next move was to Selles for training before moving to Ebblinghem on the 24th of March.
They then entrained at Arques and proceeded to Doullens, marched to Thievres and then busses to Franvillers. Marching onto Heilly they dumped their packs, drew rations and got into fighting order.
On the 27th of March, whilst relieving the 5th Army along the Sailly-le-Sec-Mericourt road, John suffered a Gun Shot Wound to his right ankle and left leg and was admitted into the 18th General Hospital in Camiers.
He was invalided back to England on the 4th of April and admitted into the Central Military Hospital in Eastbourne

After 3 weeks here he was transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Dartford on the 24th of April and then on the 6th of May he was discharged to No.3 Command Depot in Hurdcott.
On the 1st of June John was transferred to No.4 Command Depot in Hurdcott and then posted to the Overseas Training Brigade in Longbridge Deverill on the 23rd of August.

John then proceeded back to France on the 29th of September and rejoined his Battalion on the 7th of October in billets at Metigny.
The village of Metigny was a small and dirty place, wherein a very poor type of billets was obtainable, so that on October 21st, after the dissolution of the 42nd Battalion, they took over its village, Vergies, providing far more suitable accommodation and possessing environments far superior to those of Metigny.

It was while at this new village that the Armistice was signed on the 11th of November 1918, the Battalion being engaged in firing on the open range on the eventful day, but received no definite information of the cessation of hostilities until the arrival of the daily papers the following day and a holiday was then given next day to celebrate the occasion.

From then onwards the hours of training were diminished and combined with the educational scheme that had been instituted for the purpose of preparing the soldiers for their civil occupations, these classes growing until they formed the chief work of the Battalion, embracing practically all branches of trades and professions, either within the unit, at Corps Schools in France, or private enterprises in England.

They then moved onto Ramburelles, where quarters were to be occupied until demobilisation, extensive improvements were carried out to permit of the greatest possible comfort during the tedious months of waiting for return to Australia.
On the arrival at Ramburelles the inhabitants exhibited a general hostile attitude towards the Battalion and were unwilling to assist in any way towards the comfort of the men.

After settling down in new quarters, arrangements were made for the Christmas dinner 1918. It was held in the marquee erected on the village reserve with the meal consisting of turkey, ham, vegetables, plum pudding, wine and beer.

In order to maintain health, discipline, and fitness, a limited amount of drill was still undertaken, while recreation formed a very large portion of the daily routine, cross-country runs, football, or walking matches taking place each day when weather permitted.
For the purpose of occupying the long winter evenings, indoor games, cards, draughts, and chess were run on organised lines, lectures and discussions were arranged, and concert parties and pierrot troupes procured when available, while the addition of warm Nissen huts and fires in billets enabled a certain amount of comfort to be secured during the cold spells of weather, when the ground for days was frozen hard.

John finally embarked for England on the 29th of April and was allocated to Group 3 in Codford whilst awaiting embarkation home to Australia.
He embarked from England on the 8th of July 1919 on board HT Friedrichsruh and disembarked in Adelaide on the 29th of August.

John was discharged from the AIF on the 13th of October 1919 and awarded the British War & Victory Medals.