SAPPER JOHN WILLIAM GLEESON
7527 – 1st Tunnelling Company
John William Gleeson stated he was born in Townsville, Queensland on November 16, 1898 and was the
son of John and Bridget (nee Fagan) Gleeson. Queensland registration of birth gives the date 1899
therefore was a year younger than the eighteen years he declared. With four years military experience
with the T.A.I.A. the single labourer passed the medical examination on November 22, 1916.
Forms of Attestation were completed and sworn in at Townsville, Qld on November 27, 1916. His
statistics were shown as height 170cms (5ft 7ins), weight 66.8kgs (147lbs) with a chest measurement of
84-90cms (33-35½ins). Complexion was fair with grey eyes and brown hair, vision was good but
required minor dental treatment. Roman Catholic was his religion. His mother had died the previous
year therefore his sister Mrs Nellie Poulsen, “Arran”, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane Qld was
nominated as next-of-kin.
Arrived at Enoggera, Brisbane, Qld for basic training at the 11 Depot Battalion on December 4, 1916 and
completed by December 20, 1916 then forwarded to the Compound Company until January 27, 1917.
Returned to 11 Depot Battalion for a few days then progressed to 7th Reinforcements 41st Battalion.
Home leave was granted. From February 8, 1917 to March 5, 1917 joined the 25th Reinforcements 9
Depot Battalion moving to the 10th Reinforcements 4th Pioneer Battalion. On April 30, 1917 returned to
the Compound Company, Lytton Camp, Lytton, remaining until June 26, 1917.
From there went to 11th Reinforcements of 4 Pioneer Battalion for several days then placed with the
Miners Depot 1st Military District between July 2 and July 17, 1917. Began with B Company Tunnellers
on July 18, 1917 and travelled to their camp at Seymour, Victoria for further training on August 2, 1917.
Assigned the regimental number 7527 and the rank of Sapper and placed with April Reinforcements for
overseas service. His Will had been lodged with his sister at her South Brisbane address.
April Reinforcements numbering 168 departed Sydney, NSW aboard HMAT A68 Anchises on August 8,
1917. Their fifty-five day voyage began amid colds and influenza on board sailing to Colon (Panama).
Departed on September 8, 1917, and ten days later arrived at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Troops disembarked
at Liverpool, England on October 2, 1917 and detrained to Tidworth, Eng. The following day marched in
to No 1 & 3 Details camps at Parkhouse for further training for the front.
On October 31, 1917 admitted to Aust D. Hospital, Bulford for treatment of a social disease for 22 days
then discharged to Command Training Brigade at Parkhouse. Almost immediately was readmitted to
Bulford for a further 29 days before proceeding to the Overseas Training Brigade at Longbridge-Deverill,
Sutton Veny on December 21, 1917 to prepare for departure to France.
On January 12, 1918 proceeded overseas via Southampton marching into the Aust. General Base Depot at
Rouelles then onto Reinforcements Company at Le Havre and Aust Corps Depot three days later.
Was attached to the 1st Tunnelling Company on March 11, 1918 and taken on strength by April 27, 1918.
After the Armistice the company remained in their area to continue with rehabilitation of roads and
bridges and other general duties.
Was taken to 55 Casualty Clearing Station sick on December 17, 1918 entering with a social disease then
conveyed on A.T.9 and admitted to the 7 General Hospital two days later. Transferred to 39 General
Hospital, Le Havre on December 21, 1918 and after spending 17 days in treatment for this disease was
discharged to Aust General Base Depot on January 2, 1919. Left Base and rejoined his unit on January
15, 1919.
Sapper went to 20 C.C.S on January 24, 1919 suffering from Scabies requiring transportation on A.T.17
to be admitted to 25 General Hospital on January 31, 1919.
Was transferred to England on February 18, 1919 and admitted to Fulham Military Hospital, St Dunstan’s
Road, Hammersmith diagnosed with Dermatitis. Was discharged on February 22, 1919 on furlough and
instructed to report to No 1 Command Depot on March 8, 1919. Next-of-kin was advised of
hospitalisation on March 4, 1919.
Reported Absent without leave until March 15, 1919 when instructed to report to 1 st A.D.H., Bulford for
admission for treatment on that date (lateness not excused). Spent 23 days in curative care until April 6,
1919 and discharged to Command Training Depot, Parkhouse. Eight days later marched out to Deverill
to await departure home.
On May 1, 1919 the following Offence was dealt with:
Crime:
No 2 Camp 28.4.19 AWL from 23.59 hrs on 28.4.19 to 18.30 hrs on 29.4.19
Award:
4 days F.P. No 2 [Field punishment] by Lt Col C.H. Elliott. 1.5.19
Total forfeiture: 5 days pay.
He embarked from Liverpool, Eng on May 20, 1919 on board HT Nestor. Next-of-kin was advised on
June 24, 1919 he was returning home.
Ship arrived in 2nd Military District (NSW) on July 4, 1919 and discharge took place in the 1st M.D. (Qld)
on August 5, 1919.
His sister Mrs E.E. Poulsen, William Street, South Brisbane, Qld on March 29, 1920 wrote to Base
Records with regards to her late brother Private D.J. Gleeson’s War Leave Payment. A letter of reply
dated April 10, 1920 enclosed a form to complete for consideration by the District Finance Officer. It
also stated publicity regarding War Service Gratuity would be in the Press when available. Private D.J.
Gleeson named his brother Sapper J.W. Gleeson as next-of-kin and she was asked to confirm if he was
still residing at 127 Holterman Street, North Sydney, NSW.
For answering the call to serve his country Sapper 7527 John William Gleeson, 1 st Tunnelling Company
received the British War Medal (31302) and the Victory Medal (29580).
In 1922 his address was Austral House, Sturt Street, Townsville and in 1925 it was Norman House, Sturt
Street, Townsville and occupation was a labourer.
The following notices appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday June 7, 1960:
DEATHS
GLEESON, John William—June 5, 1960, at hospital, of High Street, Miller’s Point, dearly beloved husband of
Harriet and loved father of Joyce (Mrs A. Finlay), father-in-law of Alf, and loved grandfather of their children,
aged 61 years.
FUNERALS
GLEESON—The Relatives and Friends of Mrs Harriet Gleeson and Family are invited to attend the Funeral of
her dearly beloved Husband, their loved Father and Grandfather, JOHN WILLIAM; to leave our Chapel, 810
George Street, Sydney, This Tuesday, at 2.15 p.m., for Catholic Cemetery, Rookwood.
WOOD COFFILL LIMITED
BA 4611 (6 lines)
GLEESON—Waterside Workers’ Federation—Members are invited to attend the Funeral of their late Member,
JOHN WILLIAM GLEESON. For particulars see family notice.
F. BARRETT, Assist. Sect.
WOOD COFFILL LIMITED
A Statement of Service was sent to the Repatriation Department (NSW) on October 12, 1960.
Brother of John William Gleeson.
PRIVATE DAVID JOSEPH GLEESON
3549 – 60th Battalion
David Joseph Gleeson joined the A.I.F. in Melbourne, Vic on July 28, 1915 and nominated his brother
John William Gleeson of 127 Holterman Street, North Sydney, NSW as next-of-kin. He joined the 7th
Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir on January 20, 1916 then quickly transferred to the 59th Battalion on February
24, 1916. By March 15 was with the 60th Battalion.
The company left Alexandria to join the B.E.F. aboard Kinfauns Castle on June 18, 1916 and arrived at
Marseilles, France on June 29, 1916.
He was reported Missing in Action on July 19, 1916 and following a court of inquiry held in the field on
August 4, 1917 when the official report became Killed in Action.
He is commemorated in the V.C. Corner Australian Cemetery on Memorial Wall 20, Fromelles.
Private David J. Gleeson of 60 Infantry Battalion was awarded the 1914-15 Star (7322), the British War
Medal (21404) and the Victory Medal (21328) which were sent to his brother John William Gleeson.
LEST WE FORGET
© Donna Baldey 2009
www.tunnellers.net