Virtual
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Births Sep 1892   John Griffith Hugh D  Narberth 11a 1064

Hugh was born on 19 July 1892, at Cresselly, Pembrokeshire, Wales, the son of William Davies John and Sarah Catherine John, of Cresselly Shop. His birth registration actually stated his first forename was Griffith.

 He had emigrated to Australia prior to 1914, where he worked as a Farmer. By the summer of 1915 the Australian Imperial Force was making a name for itself during the fighting at Gallipoli. Many young Australians flocked to join the AIF, to take part in this great adventure that the propaganda had promised them, and so on 25 June 1915 Hugh enlisted at Blackboy Hill into the Australian Infantry, after being turned down from the Light Horse. After training, Hugh was posted to the 10th Reinforcements for the 16th Battalion, AIF, and embarked at Fremantle aboard HMT Themistocles on 13 October 1915 bound for Egypt. Early in 1916 the Australian battalions that had fought on Gallipoli were divided up to double the size of the AIF, with half the men going to the new battalions, and the positions being taken up by reinforcements. As a result, Hugh was posted to the 48th Battalion, AIF. His service papers then show a long history of illness, with several spells in hospitals in England over the coming months. In June 1917 he was posted to the 7th Field Artillery Battery, Australian Field Artillery, and in August was shot in the buttocks while fighting at Ypres. Again Hugh was hospitalised, and it was not until February 1918 that he was back in France, but he was soon in hospital ill again. Yet again Hugh returned to action, but was wounded for a second time during October 1918, during the fighting around the Hindenburg Line, and returned home for treatment at the Red Cross Hospital, Sittingbourne. Sadly Hugh took ill here and died of pneumonia on 30 October 1918. He was 26 years old, and was brought home for burial at Minwear (St. Womar) Churchyard.

He is honoured on the Tenby (Greenhill School) War Memorial

Greenhill Secondary School, which is the old Greenhill Grammar School, contains two wooden war memorials, which commemorate the pupils who fell during both world wars. 

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick (OAM) – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland”

Hugh Davies John was born at St. Florence, near Tenby, Wales on 19th July, 1892 to parents William Davies John and Sarah Catherine John (nee Davies).  His birth was registered as Griffith Hugh Davies John in the September quarter, 1892 in the district of Narberth, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

William Davies John, father of Hugh Davies John, died on 5th July, 1893.

Information from the Roll of Honour, completed by Emma Jane John (Aunt), stated that Hugh John came to Australia when he was 17 years old. Hugh D. John & George John, Labourers, were listed as passengers on Omrah, which departed from London on 19th February, 1909 bound for Fremantle, Western Australia.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 25th June, 1915 as a 23 year old, single, Farmer from Dylialing, Warren Road, East Katanning, Western Australia. His next of kin was listed as his uncle – Mr T. John, of Elm Grove, Penally, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Hugh John stated on his Attestation Papers that he had previously been rejected as unfit for Light Horse.

Private Hugh John was posted to 15th Depot Company from 25th June, 1915. He was transferred to 10th Reinforcements, 16th Battalion on 16th July, 1915.

From 14th August, 1915 to 20th August, 1915 Private John was admitted to Hospital while stationed at Blackboy Hill Camp, Western Australia with Measles then re-admitted the same day again for measles. He was discharged on 6th September, 1915, after 17 days in hospital.

Private Hugh Davies John, Service number 3123, embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia on HMAT Themistocles (A32) on 13th October, 1915 with the 16th Infantry Battalion, 10th Reinforcements.

He was admitted to No. 1 Auxiliary Hospital, Luna Park, Cairo on 23rd November, 1915 with diarrhoea & was discharged to Base Details on 3rd December, 1915.

On 5th February, 1916 Private John was taken on strength of 16th Battalion at Ismalia.

Private John was transferred from 16th Battalion to 48th Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir on 3rd March, 1916.

He was transferred to 4th Division Artillery on 17th March, 1916 at Tel-el-Kebir. He was taken on strength of 24th Howitzer Brigade & posted to 112 Battery on 17th March, 1916.

On 9th April, 1916 Private John was taken to New Zealand Field Ambulance then admitted to No. 1 Australian Stationary Hospital at Serapeum on 10th April, 1916 with Scabies. He was discharged to duty & rejoined his Unit from Hospital on 18th April, 1916. Private  John was taken on strength with 4th D.A.C. (Divisional Artillery Column) at Serapeum on 19th April, 1916 & posted to No. 3 Section.

Private Hugh John was mustered as Driver on 1st May, 1916.

Driver Hugh John was transferred from 11th F.A.B. (Field Artillery Brigade) to 4th D.A.C. on 27th May, 1916.

He proceeded to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force) from Alexandria on 6th June, 1916 on Oriana & disembarked at Marseilles, France on 13th June, 1916.

On 26th June, 1916 Driver John was taken to 13th Field Ambulance suffering from Bronchitis. He was transferred on 27th June, 1916 to No. 3 Stationary Hospital at Boulogne, France. Driver Hugh John was invalided to England on Hospital Ship Cambria from Boulogne on 3rd July, 1916 due to Bronchial Catarrh.

Driver John was admitted to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, Middlesex on 12th July, 1916 suffering from Bronchitis.  He was transferred to Military Convalescence Hospital, Epsom on 14th July, 1916 & discharged on 10th August, 1916. He proceeded on furlough from Hospital. He reported back from furlough & was placed in Class A at No. 1 Command Depot on 29th August, 1916.

He was written up for an offence at Bulford, Wiltshire on 27th August, 1916 – Absent without leave from midnight on 26th August, 1916 till  28th August, 1916. He was awarded 7 days confined to barracks & forfeited 2 days pay.

Driver John was transferred to Park House, Wiltshire.  He was marched in to A.A.T.D. (Australian Army Training Depot) at Bulford, Wiltshire from Parkhouse on 1st September, 1916.

He was marched out to 3rd Divisional Artillery on 10th November, 1916 & proceeded overseas to France on 24th November, 1916.

On 15th December, 1916 Driver John reported sick & was admitted to 11th D. R. (Divisional Rest) Station the same day with Influenza. He was discharged to duty on 4th January, 1917. Driver Hugh John rejoined his Unit in the field on 5th January, 1917.

Driver Hugh John was re-mustered Gunner on 24th June, 1917.

On 7th July, 1917 Gunner John was transferred to 7th F.A.B. (Field Artillery Brigade) from 3rd D.A.C.

Gunner Hugh John was wounded in action on 4th August, 1917. He was taken to 4th Australian Field Ambulance with shrapnel wounds to right Buttock then transferred to 2nd Australian Casualty Clearing Station. Gunner John was transferred by Ambulance Train 16 & admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital at Rouen on 7th August, 1917. He proceeded for transfer to England on 9th August, 1917 & embarked on Hospital Ship Grantully Castle on 11th August, 1917.

He was admitted to Norfolk War Hospital, Thorpe, Norwich, England on 12th August, 1917 with gunshot wounds to left buttock. Gunner John was transferred to No. 3 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, Kent on 4th September, 1917 recovering from his previous wounds. He was on furlo from 13th September, 1917 to 27th September, 1917 & was then to report to Hurdcott, Wiltshire.

On 29th September, 1917 Gunner John was admitted to Observation Hospital at Hurdcott, Wiltshire & discharged on 3rd October, 1917. He was transferred to Classification Hut on 4th October, 1917 & medically classified as B1 A 4 (fit for Overseas Training camp when passed dentally fit).

Gunner John was marched in to No. 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott on 7th November, 1917 with Scabies & discharged on 21st November, 1917. Gunner John had been reclassified as A 3 (Fit for Overseas Training Camp, to which transferred for hardening prior to rejoining unit overseas) on 15/16 November, 1917.

He was marched out to Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge Deverill, Wiltshire on 5th December, 1917 from No. 3 Command Depot, Hurdcott.

On 17th December, 1917 Gunner John was marched out from Overseas Training Brigade to R.B.A.A. (Reserve Brigade Australian Artillery) at Heytesbury, Wiltshire.

Gunner John was written up on 23rd January, 1918 for an offence at Heytesbury, Wiltshire – Overstaying leave from midnight on 22nd January, 1918 until reporting to N.C.O. in charge Guard at 9.50 pm on 23rd January, 1918. He was awarded 7 days confined to barracks with a total forfeiture of 5 days’ pay.

He proceeded overseas to France from Heytesbury on 31st January, 1918. He was marched in from England to A.G.B.D. (Australian General Base Depot) at Rouelles, France on 1st February, 1918. Gunner John was marched out of A.G.B.D. on 4th February, 1918 & rejoined his Brigade (from being wounded) on 6th February, 1918.

On 12th February, 1918 Gunner John was detached to Mobile Battalions.

Gunner John was taken to 10th Australian Field Ambulance on 15th February, 1918 then transferred to 53rd Casualty Clearing Station on 16th February, 1918. He was discharged to duty on 3rd March, 1918 after being treated for Balanitis (non venereal). Gunner Hugh John rejoined his Brigade on 4th March, 1918.

On 15th March, 1918 Gunner John was admitted to 12th Australian Field Ambulance with Scabies. He was transferred to 13th Australian Field Ambulance then transferred to 4th Australian Field Ambulance. Gunner Hugh John was admitted to 1st Australian Field Ambulance with Scabies on 24th March, 1918 & rejoined his Unit on 26th March, 1918. Another line on the Casualty Form – Active Service reads “rejoined from sick” - 15th April, 1918.

He was admitted to 11th Australian Field Ambulance on 9th May, 1918 with Scabies & was discharged to duty the next day. Gunner John rejoined his Unit on 10th May, 1918 but was admitted 41st Stationary Hospital on 18th May, 1918, again suffering with Scabies. He was returned to his Unit on 30th May, 1918 & rejoined his Brigade on 31st May, 1918.

Gunner Hugh John was wounded in action (2nd Occasion) on 17th October, 1918. He was admitted to 76th Field Ambulance on 17th October, 1918 with gunshot wounds to left foot. He was transferred to 41st Casualty Clearing Station the same day. Gunner Hugh John was transferred by Ambulance Train to 1st S. A. General Hospital at Abbeville on 18th October, 1918 & invalided to England on 21st October, 1918 on Hospital Ship Jan Breydal.

He was admitted to Central Military Hospital, Chatham, England on 21st October, 1918 suffering from gunshot wounds to left foot. He was transferred to Red Cross Hospital, Sittingbourne, Kent on 22nd October, 1918.

Gunner Hugh Davies John died at 11.30 pm on 30th October, 1918 at Red Cross Hospital, Sittingbourne, Kent, England from Bronchial Pneumonia following Influenza.

His body was sent to Wales to be buried by his Uncle & on 5th November, 1915 Gunner Hugh Davies John was buried in St. Womar Churchyard, Minwear, Wales – south east part in the family grave. He has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)

https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/minwear.html