Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born in Pendlebury, Manchester, England in 1894 a son of Robert Abraham Schofield & Elizabeth Clegg

He was educated at St Stephen's Church School, St Peter's Church of England Primary School & finally at St Stephen's Salford Secondary School

The 1911 Census records him working as an Apprentice Shuttle Maker for looms & living in Swinton, Manchester

He joined the British Army & was posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion at Carlisle Castle. He served with the for about 6 months, but bought himself out to go travelling abroad & subsequently emigrate to Australia in late 1913

Upon the outbreak of WW1, he was residing in East Melbourne & working as a Farmer, when on 18 Aug 1914, he enlisted in the AIF being allocated S/No. 246 as Private with the 6th Battalions original B Company

Affectionately known amongst his new Aussie mates as ‘The British Boy’, he embarked for overseas on the troop transport Suffolk, forming part of Australia’s 2nd Brigade in the 1st Division

Arriving in Egypt on 2 Dec, spent a period of time training in the desert before taking part in the Defence of the Suez Canal in Jan 1915 from a German–led Ottoman Army force which advanced from Southern Palestine

In early Apr, they embarked for the Dardanelles & subsequently took part in the Landing at Anzac Cove on the 25th, where they went ashore as part of the second wave

First ashore was the Australian Division, with the 3rd Australian Brigade landing first as the covering force who were to capture the third ridge from Battleship Hill south along the Sari Bair mountain range to Gaba Tepe & the 2nd Australian Brigade (including Schofield), landing second, sent to capture all the Sari Bar range up to Hill 971 on the left – Although they failed to achieve their objectives, by nightfall the Anzac’s had formed a beachhead, albeit much smaller than intended. In some places, they were clinging onto cliff faces with no organised defence system

Jack remained in the fighting uninjured – a newspaper article (obituary) states “he landed on that date (25 April) & many of his comrades fell, he survived & was often on sniping duty. He was one of the very few of his company who did not fall in the early stages & was in the think of many of the terrible charges on the peninsula”

Shortly after the landing the 2nd Brigade was transferred from Anzac Cove to Cape Helles to assist in the attack on Krithia (Second Battle of Krithia 6–8 May)

The article also states “….later though, he was wounded in the leg & contracted fever before being sent to hospital in Cairo & evacuated back to England”

On 28 Jun, Jack was evacuated from the peninsula with influenza, being admitted to hospital in Heliopolis on 9 Jul before being invalided to England where he was admitted to hospital in Birmingham on 24 Sep

Upon recovery, he returned to Egypt in Jan 1916 & re–joined his Battalion who were now undergoing a period of re–organisation following the losses during the Gallipoli Campaign & their subsequent evacuation in Dec 1915

He was promoted Corporal on 23 Feb & embarked with the Battalion a month later, bound for the Western Front

Arriving in France, they deployed to the Somme & where they were sent to a quiet sector near Fleurbaix where they were involved in a small scale trench raid on the Germans, though their first major action in France was during the Battle of Pozières the following month, where they lost 102 men KIA

In Aug Jack was admitted to hospital suffering wounds & shell shock, remaining there until he was fit enough to return to the front, at which time he was transferred to the 58th Battalion, finally joining them in Fromelles on 11 Oct

Just over a month later, the 58th were beginning to occupy the front line trenches around Montauban when Jack was wounded by shrapnel on 22 Nov, hitting him in the abdomen, thigh & forearm while crossing the parade to occupy trenches – He was subsequently evacuated to the 36th Casualty Clearing Station

While here, Jack wrote a letter home to his parents, though would sadly never get to mail it himself as he passed away an hour after writing it while awaiting evacuation

He was officially listed as having died of wounds on 24 Nov 1916 at the age of 22

Sometime later, his final letter was typed up by Chaplain A. R. Home & posted on Jacks behalf, the letter dated 24 Nov 1916 states: "My dearest mother, Since I last wrote we have been busy & on the evening on November 22nd, I got hit by a piece of shell which hit the top part of my thigh and went into my body making a nasty wound. I was brought down here last night in an ambulance and now shall receive the best attention from surgeons and sisters, and please God that I may recover my health and strength. At the moment I feel very week and ill, but I hope they will be able to do something for me as my strength returns. Don’t worry for we are all of us in God’s hands. Much love to you all your loving son Jack" – The Chaplain added to the bottom "An hour after he wrote this he passed away peacefully. I shall bury him tomorrow in our little cemetery where so many of his comrades lie. His grave will be marked with a cross & this grave will always be cared for. His effects are sent from here to the Base Record Office & should reach you in due time. With much sympathy, yours faithfully, A. R. Home, Chaplain"

Jack is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Plot V1, Row C, Grave 15 in Mericourt-L'Abbe, Picardie, France & his name is located at panel 166 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial