SAPPER JOHN THOMAS Mcfarlane 6942

SAPPER JOHN THOMAS McFARLANE 6942 – 1st Tunnelling Company

Blackall, Queensland was the birthplace of John Thomas McFarlane on May 17, 1895 and was the son of John Thomas McFarlane. He worked as a Telegraph Linesman in 1916.

On June 30, 1916 he applied to enlist with the Recruiting Officer at the Bauhinia Shire Council, Springsure, Qld and passed the preliminary medical examination on July 3, 1916. Personal particulars given were his age of twenty-one years stood 173cms (5ft 8ins) tall with a chest expansion of 87cms (34ins) and unmarried. His application was accepted by the recruiting officer.

At the Recruiting Depot in Emerald, Qld on July 7, 1916 the medical officer concurred with the preliminary verdict and declared him fit for active service. Attestation Forms were completed the same day which add further information of height now 176cms (5ft 9ins), weight 64.5kgs (142lbs) with a chest measurement of 89cms (35ins). Fair was his complexion with blue eyes and brown hair and his faith was Roman Catholic. Next-of-kin was his father Photo: The Queenslander John Thomas McFarlane March 3, 1917 of Springsure, Qld. He was sworn in the same day.

Basic Training commenced at the 11th Depot Battalion on July 14, 1916 continuing until August 15, 1916 when he was allotted to the 6th Reinforcements to the 49th Battalion for further training concluding on September 10. The following day he was relocated to Lytton Camp, Lytton to train with the Compound Company. He was declared dentally fit on September 15, 1916. When finished he was transferred to the Miners’ Depot (1st Military District) on October 10 for further instruction remaining until January 31, 1917. From November 23 to December 1, 1916 he was granted six days leave plus pay to see his parents at Waterview, Springsure before he proceeded to the front. He signed a Statutory Declaration on December 12, 1916 requesting his occupation to be that of a Miner. Training for overseas commenced at the Miners’ Camp at Seymour, Vic on February 2, 1917 when he was assigned to the February 1917 Reinforcements with the rank of Sapper and the regimental number 6942. On February 27 he joined the Tunnelling Companies Reinforcements for several more months of training before embarkation. In preparation his Will was noted to be lodged with his Father John T. McFarlane at Waterview, Springsure, Qld.

The transport HMAT A9 Shropshire embarked from Melbourne, Vic on May 11, 1917 with 168 members of the February Reinforcements on board. Sapper McFarlane left Australian waters from Fremantle harbour and after crossing the Indian Ocean the ship docked at Durban, South Africa. Next Port-of-call was Capetown to refuel followed by another stopover at an unrecorded harbour would have completed the trip-sheet. After being at sea for 70 days the voyage terminated at Plymouth, England on July 19, 1917. The three officers and 165 other ranks were detrained to Tidworth while two were hospitalised at Plymouth. They marched into Nos 1 and 3 Camps at Parkhouse for further training for the front.

On August 16, 1917 while at Parkhouse the following discipline took place: Crime: Parkhouse 16.8.17 A.W.L. from 2400 hrs till 1800 hrs 18.8.17 Award: 168 hours detention by Major E. Lewis 20/8/17 In custody one day awaiting trial Total Forfeiture: 10 days pay. The Reinforcements proceeded from Southampton to France on September 9, 1917 and marched into the Aust General Base Depot at Rouelles the following day. He was assigned to the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion on September 15, which was an advanced section of the Base Depot that organised works near the lines and through duties, would accustom the reinforcements to war conditions before being assigned to a company in the field.

Sapper McFarlane was attached to the 1st Tunnelling Company on October 17, 1917 in the field.

He went sick to the 9th Field Ambulance and admitted suffering with dental caries on November 10, 1917 and rejoined his unit the same day.

Blue Chevrons were due about this time.

The following was dealt with on April 6, 1918: Crime: When on Active Service Absent without Leave from 12.30 p.m. to 6 p.m. 4.4.18 Award: 1 Day F.P. No. 1 [Field Punishment] Total Forfeiture: 1 Days Pay by order C.O. 1 Tun Coy 6/4/18

On April 27, 1918 he was taken on strength with the 1st Tunnelling Company.

He was admitted on October 14, 1918 to the 20th Casualty Clearing Station with Synovitis Left Knee and conveyed on A.T.9 five days later to the 12th General Hospital at Rouen. He was invalided to England on October 23, 1918 on the hospital ship Grantilly Castle and the next day admitted to the Duchess of Connaught Canadian Red Cross Hospital at Taplow, Bucks with Synovitis Left Knee. [Tissue lining lubricates certain joints during movement becomes Inflamed]

He was in hospital when Peace was declared and three days later was released to the 1st Aust Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield. Two days later he was discharged on furlough and to report to the No. 1 Command Depot on November 20, 1918. He marched into the No. 1 C.D. at Sutton Veny from Headquarters, London. On November 29, 1918 his father was notified of his hospitalisation.

On December 2, 1918 he was admitted to the 1st Aust. Dermatological Hospital at Bulford with a Social Disease and was discharged eighty-four days later on February 24, 1919. Marched in to the Convalescent Training Depot at Parkhouse that day and left from the No. 1 Command Depot at Parkhouse on March 7, 1919 for the Sutton Veny Camp.

On March 31, 1919 Sapper McFarlane was invalided to Australia on board the H.T. Khyber from London. Next-of-kin was advised of his return voyage home on April 29, 1919. The ship arrived in Melbourne, Vic (3rd M.D.) on May 21, 1919.

Military Discharge was issued in Melbourne, Vic (3rd M.D.) on June 21, 1919.

His Will was returned to the 1st Military District on November 3, 1919 for future reference.

On December 30, 1920 he married Alice Mary Catherine Clancy in Queensland.

The British War Medal (64983) and the Victory Medal (62707) were awarded to Sapper 6942 John Thomas McFarlane, 1st Tunnelling Company for serving his country abroad. The medals were unclaimed at the collection section 3rd Military District and returned to Base Records on May 10, 1922 and 1923.

He was advised that his medals were available and he requested them to be sent to his address on November 6, 1923. Service Medals were dispatched by Registered Post on November 23, 1923 to him at Springsure Central, Qld. In 1925 they were residing at Springsure, Qld and in 1936 were in Wakefield Street, Sandgate, Brisbane with the occupation of Miner until 1943 then registered at Rainbow Street, Sandgate as a miner then an Electrical Linesman.

He volunteered during World War II with the Australian Army enlisting in Brisbane on December 1, 1939. His next-of-kin was his wife Alice McFarlane and the locality of his residence was Sandgate, Qld. Regimental number was Q187360 (QX7194) serving as a Sapper with the 12th Army Troop Company and was discharged on June 4, 1943.

Later that month, Statements of his Service were sent to the Repatriation Department, Brisbane on June 15 and June 29, 1943.

John Thomas McFarlane died on August 26, 1967 aged 72 years. The Courier-Mail on August 29 and 30, 1967 advertised the following notices:

FUNERAL NOTICES McFARLANE, Mr John Thomas, Chorregon, Winton. (Ex 1st and 2nd A.I.F.) The Family of the late Mr J.T. McFarlane wish to advise Relatives and Friends that his Funeral is appointed to leave our Chapel tomorrow, Wednesday, for Pinnaroo Lawn Resting Place, Aspley, Garden of Remembrance, after Prayers commencing at 9.50 a.m. METROPOLITAN FUNERAL SERVICES PTY LTD

FUNERAL NOTICES McFARLANE, Mr John Thomas, “Chorregon,” at Winton—The Relatives and Friends of the late Mr J.T. McFarlane, are respectfully advised that his Funeral is appointed to leave our Chapel, 400 Wickham Street, today (Wednesday), for the Garden of Remembrance, Anzac Section of the Pinnaroo Lawn Resting Place, Aspley, after Prayers, commencing at 9.50 a.m. METROPOLITAN FUNERAL SERVICES PTY LTD

His grave can be located in the Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery, Bridgeman Downs, Brisbane in the Anzac Portion 4 Grave No. 158. His wife is in Portion 8A in Grave No. 1168 as she passed away in March, 1975 aged 82 years.