Sapper John (Jack) Wallace

SAPPER JOHN (JACK) WALLACE 3512 – Tunnelling Details

On 1 January 1916, at Seymour, Victoria, John Wallace signed the ‘Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad’. He stated he had been born near the Town of Waterloo, Sydney, New South Wales; that he was a British Subject; that his was 30 years of age; and that his Trade or Calling was ‘Miner’.

He stated that he had never been an Apprentice, that he was not married, and that he had had no previous service with his Majesty’s Forces. He recorded as his Next of Kin his father, stating that he did not know his address. He made no allotment from his pay.

John was a Presbyterian. He stood 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 161 pounds. He had a dark complexion, grey eyes and dark hair. His left forearm and upper arm were tattooed and there were tattoo marks similarly situated on his right arm. A medical examination found him to be ‘fit for active service’.

He signed the ‘Oath’ to ‘well and truly serve’ at Seymour on 11 August 1916 as ‘J. Wallace’ and was appointed to the Mining and Tunnelling Company, August Reinforcements, by 2nd Lieutenant J. S. Peppercorn and embarked on 16 August 1916 at Melbourne as 3512 Sapper Wallace, Jack, on RMS Orontes with the Australian Mining Corps 4th Reinforcements.

Orontes had departed Sydney, on 12 August, docking in Melbourne on 14 August where John Wallace and 80 more Tunnellers embarked, before departing Melbourne on 16 August. The ship voyaged via Adelaide, Fremantle, Durban and Capetown, South Africa and St Vincent in Portugal before the troops disembarked at Plymouth, England on 2 October 1916.

During the voyage, 7 men had deserted at Fremantle and 9 at Capetown. John Wallace committed two offences at sea during the voyage: Absent Without Leave (AWL) from parade on 26 August, and again being AWL on 7 September 1916, for which offences he forfeited 2 days pay.

Jack Wallace and the Tunnellers marched into the Details Company, No.3 Camp, Parkhouse on 3 October 1916.

On 19 October 1916 he was charged with having been AWL from the Parkhouse Camp between 0630 hours 4 October and 2045 hours 16 October 1916. A second offence of ‘giving a false name’, and a 3rd offence of being ‘in possession of an irregular pass’ were also recorded. He was awarded 12 days detention and the forfeiture of 25 days pay.

On 10 February 1917 the “A” suffix was added to his Regimental Number, as it was to all Tunnellers on the Orontes. He marched in to No.1 Com. Depot, Perham Downs on 28 February 1917 and marched out to Camp Headquarters, Perham Downs, on 2 March.

Jack was admitted to the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital on 15 March, being discharged on 22 May. He marched in to Headquarters No. 7 Camp, Perham Downs, from No.1 Com. Depot, Perham Downs, on 23 May 1917 and was marched out to No. 7 Camp under escort on 25 May 1917. He was then marched out to the Hardening and Drafting Depot on 28 May, but was admitted to Brimstone Bottom Isolation Hospital on 29 May with a slight Rubella rash. On 3 June he developed broncho-pneumonia. He had recently undergone treatment at Bulford.

Jack Wallace Died of disease 7 June 1917 – (1) Rubella (2) broncho-pneumonia

Following a Military Funeral conducted by an A.I.F. clergyman, John (Jack) Wallace was buried on 8 June 1917 in a good coffin in consecrated ground at Tidworth Military Cemetery, England, grave number 52, Plot “A” The Adjutant of the Hardening and Drafting Depot at Perham Downs was advised of the death on 9 June.

On 12 June 1917 the A.A.G., 3rd Military District wrote to the Officer in Charge, Base Records: “With reference to your list 3/105 of the 10th instant (page 3) reporting 3512a Sapper J. Wallace, Tunnelling Details, Died 7/6/1917 of Bronchitis at Brimstone Bottom Isolation Hospital, please not that inquiries have been made at the office of the District Paymaster, but no particulars could be obtained as to the present whereabouts of the Father of the Late Sapper Wallace. The allotment of Sapper Wallace is being paid into the Commonwealth Bank.”

A pencil annotation advises a Mrs. Cassidy to ‘advertise for NOK’ and on 15 June a Notice for the Press was sent to the Secretary for Defence for approval: “The Defence Department desires the Next-of-Kin of No. 3512 Sapper John Wallace, Tunnelling Details (late Mining Corps) to communicate with the Officer in Charge, Base Records, Victoria Barracks, Melbourne, as early as possible.”

Late in June 1917, a Mr. A.W. Wallace of Korumburra, Vic. inquired as to whether it might be his brother Joseph Wallace of D Company 38th Battalion. Early in July 1917, Base records advised Mr. Wallace that the J. Wallace listed was not identical with the subject of his inquiry.

The Curator of Estates of Deceased Persons, New Zealand Chambers, 483 Collins Street, Melbourne wrote to Officer in Charge of Base Records, Melbourne on 23 July 1918: “ Sir, re Spt. No. 3512. J. Wallace, Tunnelling Details, decd.

This case has been referred to me by the District Paymaster for administration and I shall be obliged if you will inform me of the full name of the late soldier.

If you received any application by the relatives I shall be obliged if you will be good enough to furnish me with their addresses.”

Walter B Hows, Curator, signed the letter.

On 1 August 1918 the Officer in Charge of Base Records wrote to The Curator of Estates of Deceased Persons: “With reference to your communication of 23rd ultimo., the information you desire is as under :- No.3512 Sapper John Wallace, Tunnelling Details. No Communication has been received to date from any relatives of this soldier.”

The Officer in Charge of Base Records wrote again on 21 August 1918 to The Curator of Estates of Deceased Persons: “Dear Sir, I understand you are administering the estate of the late No. 3512A Sapper J. Wallace, Tunnelling Details, and would be obliged if you will give any instructions to enable me to dispose of a package of personal effects now held at the store.”

The Curator of Estates of Deceased Persons replied on 30 August 1918: “I duly received your letter of the 21st instant. I have not yet obtained a Rule to administer the late soldier’s estate, but I am taking the necessary steps to make application to the Court. I shall be glad to take delivery of the personal effects referred to by you.”

On 9 September 1918 the Officer in Charge of Base Records wrote to The Curator of Estates of Deceased Persons: “ I have to acknowledge receipt of your communication of the 30th ultimo, and to state that a package of personal effects of the late No.3512 Sapper J. Wallace, Tunnelling Details, is forwarded per separate post, containing articles as per inventory attached, for favor of disbursement to the legatee. Kindly acknowledge receipt of same by signing and returning the attached receipt form.” The ‘personal effects’ received from the Hospital at Brimstone Bottom were: Housewife, 3 badges, pair of mittens, shaving brush, comb and a pocket wallet.

On 19 September 1918, 1 package, the effects of the late 3512A Sapper J. Wallace, was signed for by Walter B. Hows

On 2 August 1920 the Officer in Charge of Base Records wrote to The Curator of Estates of Deceased Persons: “Dear Sir, I should be obliged if you would advise me with whom you finalised the estate of the late No.3512a Sapper J. Wallace, Tunnelling Details.”

16 August 1920 The Curator of Estates of Deceased Persons wrote to Officer in Charge of Base Records, Melbourne: “Dear Sir, With reference to your letter of 2nd instant I beg to inform you that no distribution has been made by me in this case. The address of the father is unknown and no application has been made to me by any person claiming to be next of kin.”

The British War Medal (45760), awarded to John Wallace in recognition of his service, and the Memorial Plaque and Scroll provided to families of deceased soldiers were never issued.

The Memorial Plaque (325218) was marked untraceable on 23 August 1922. The “Where The Australians Rest” pamphlet and the Memorial Scroll (325218) were marked ‘Untraceable’ on 21 March 1923.

On 29 May 1923, Base Records, 3rd Military District, requested that the District Finance Officer advise if their files revealed any blood relatives of John Wallace, the information being required for the disposal of War Medals, etc.. Advice came back that no claim for War Gratuity had been received on account of John Wallace.

The Sydney Morning Herald - Saturday 23 July 1921:

ENGINEERS' ROLL OF HONOUR The Royal Engineer War Memorial Committee are arranging to deposit a roll of honour of all ranks of the Royal Engineers whose names were officially published as killed in action or died of wounds or disease in the war in the chapel of St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Engineer corps of the dominions, colonial, and Indian armies have been invited to deposit similar rolls of honour in St. Paul's, to be attached to that of the Royal Engineers. This invitation has been accepted in Australia. The roll will be inscribed on vellum and enclosed in a casket of Australian timbers to rest on a slab of Australian marble.

This extract from Tunnellers Roll of Honour included in profile with the kind permission of the Dean and Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral, London Photos courtesy of Robin Sanderson, Paris