Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John passed away of a heart attack, shortly after jumping off the Henley Beach Jetty to rescue a 17-year-old male from drowning. 

Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize 2024 Winning entry (also attached as a document)

John Leslie Partridge was born in Stirling, South Australia, on May 1st, 1891, to George Basset Partridge and Mary Elizabeth (Hillman). Partridge’s parents were married in 1887 and resided in Prospect SA. It is assumed Partridge is named after his grandfathers, both called John. He was the eldest son and second eldest child of eleven siblings: Sarah, William, George, Harry, Walter, Norman, Esther, Clifford, Emily, and Ronald. His occupation prior to WWI was a farmer. Partridge’s father, George Partridge, had many professions in his lifetime. These include city tramway groom, farmer, and dairyman.

Enlistment offices opened around Australia on August 10th, 1914. Less than a month later, Partridge enlisted for WWI on September 2nd, 1914, in Morphettville, South Australia, as evidenced in Figure 3. He was 23 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, with a fair complexion, brown hair, and blue eyes. He started as a Private in the 10th Battalion, B Company, in the AIF.

He embarked on the HMAT Ascanius on October 20th, 1914. The Ascanius was carrying 1987 soldiers, 4 nurses and 13 horses. Five days later, the Ascanius docked at Freemantle Wharf in Western Australia. On October 26th, Partridge got a visit from some relatives, “Uncle Dick and Herb". On Monday, November 2nd, the Ascanius set sail, and stopped in Colombo Roadstead, Sri Lanka, for two days before leaving again.

On November 21st, 1914, there was an incident involving Partridge’s ship. The HMAT Ascanius was sailing in a line of five ships when, around 4:30, the soldiers on the Ascanius awoke because of a collision. According to Lieutenant Spencer Squirrell, a solider on the Ascanius, they bumped into the HMAT Shropshire, and, to get out of the position, accidentally bumped into it again and tore a 20ft. long and 4in. wide hole in the Ascanius. The Shropshire was not greatly affected. Lt. Squirrel’s gave an account of the event, describing the men’s courage and discipline in the face of uncertainty which was published in the newspaper (see attached link). Fortunately, while the damage was serious, it was not life threatening and the ship continued until November 25th, when it anchored at the Aden Roadstead in Yemen at 07:00 for repairs, and left the next day.

After a brief stop at Port Suez of Egypt, the Ascanius started for Alexandria at 17:00 on December 4th, 1914, arriving at 7:00 the next day. The soldiers spent time travelling and unpacking the ship and arrived at the Mena camp, in Cairo, Egypt, at 14:45. Figure 7 depicts the 9th and 10th Battalions at this camp, notably with a kangaroo, their regimental mascot. In fact, many units brought animals with them as mascots, and some were later given to the Cairo Zoological Gardens.

The first week at the camp involved some training and parades. Between trainings, Partridge and some of his friends also explored nearby cities and attractions. On March 1st, the Battalion voyaged to Mudros harbour, on the Island of Lemnos, Greece. Arriving on March 4th, the 10th Battalion spent seven weeks on S. S. Ionian, going ashore for marches and some parades. On April 24th, 1915, the B and C Companies for the 10th Battalion (including Partridge) boarded the H.M.S. Prince of Wales, and arrived on the Gallipoli Peninsula the following day, April 25th. On the way to Gallipoli, Partridge described the feeling on the ship in his diary (see attached diary). Devastatingly, for many it was the last time they heard the “old sun set” played. Upon arrival, the B and C companies of the 10th Battalion were first ashore, including Partridge. They were met with gunfire from the Turkish. Figure 9 shows part of an account of the day described by Bugler T. S. Gordon, a member of the 10th Battalion injured in the battle. Partridge was not injured, and he spent a big part of the next day digging trenches. By Wednesday, many soldiers, including Partridge, were worn out from injuries, lack of food and drink, and sheer exhaustion. Partridge wrote in his diary, “Can hardly stand up for want of sleep.” Fortunately for him, his Battalion was relieved by the Royal Marines for a break the next day. During the battles at Gallipoli, so many men were killed that an Armistice was called on May 24th, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, for both sides to bury their dead.

The Battalion suffered from illnesses such as dysentery, diarrhoea, and fever, as well as wounds and lack of water. Fortunately, they got a short respite from battle from June 8th to 11th, 1915. During that time, they lived in tents and had access to food, water and proper bathing facilities. Partridge served in the battle of Gallipoli until he evacuated sick (with diarrhoea/dysentery) and was admitted to No 2 Australian General Hospital, in Heliopolis, Egypt, on October 4th, 1915. It is uncertain when Partridge rejoined his Battalion, but the 10th Battalion served the front line of the ANZAC position until they evacuated on November 16th, 1915. Partridge continued to fight as Private in the 10th Battalion in various battles, and on August 15th, 1916, Partridge was promoted to Sergeant. Unfortunately, just over a week later, on August 21st, 1916, Partridge was wounded (lower back/buttock) in the Battle for Pozières and was evacuated to hospital in England, on August 27th, 1916. Fortunately, he recovered and proceeded to Le Havre, France on December 31st, 1917.

On June 1st, 1918, Partridge was honoured for his bravery in the battle at Mont St Merris, France with a Military Medal, for “behaving with great gallantry, setting a fine example to the platoon.” King George the 5th made a speech about the Australian soldiers, including a mention of Partridge as a recipient of the Military Medal. Partridge was finally discharged from the War on March 16th, 1919, serving in the First World War from beginning to end and showing an unwavering perseverance true to the ANZAC legend. After 4 years and 196 days apart from his family while serving his country, Partridge returned to Australia on December 4th, 1918, on board HMAT Somerset.

On May 23rd, 1920, John Partridge married Irene May (nee Wall) (see Appendix 3). They had three daughters who all married servicemen. Their eldest daughter Noeline married Private Edgar Wachner in 1941, who fought in WWII, and was taken as a POW in Borneo, 1942, where he devastatingly died of illness in 1945. Partridge’s second daughter, Marie Estelle, married Sergeant Thomas Tebby in 1943, and his youngest daughter, Una Merris, married Sergeant Arthur Hart in 1945.

Following three unsuccessful attempts to enlist in WWII, Partridge became a permanent member of the Australian Instructional Corps, where he served throughout WWII and until his retirement. He personally trained multiple soldiers and assisted at Military camps. In 1946, Partridge was unexpectedly visited by a Victoria Cross Winner, Private Frank Partridge. Partridge died as a result of a heart attack on January 20th, 1956, at Henley Beach, at age 64. He devastatingly suffered a heart attack shortly after he jumped off the Henley Beach Jetty to rescue a 17-year-old male from drowning. Unfortunately, this information hasn’t been confirmed in any place other than the VWMA. His name is immortalised on multiple plaques at memorials.

Partridge embodied the famous ANZAC spirit, during his service and in his life after. One characteristic he showed was ingenuity. On December 11th, 1914, Partridge recounted an accident in his diary, as displayed in Figure 12. This shows his ingenuity; he was smart and resourceful to turn a ladder into a stretcher. There would doubtless be other examples of his ingenuity that unfortunately haven’t been recorded. Partridge also showed a tremendous amount of courage; he enlisted in the war immediately, even though he had his life ahead of him and enlisting in the war meant possible death. Even after he experienced the pain and suffering that came with war, he continued to be courageous, earning a Military Medal. He also earned more medals that are kept as part of his family collection. Not only that, but he also tried to enlist in WWII, knowing exactly what warfare was like. Partridge fought in WWI as a Soldier, served in WWII as a Staff Officer, served as a Trainer in the Australian Instructional Corps (AIC), and assisted in various Military Camps. This ceaseless courage and willingness to sacrifice for the good of others is what makes Partridge such an inspiration to me. John Leslie Partridge has an extraordinary and commendable story that deserves to be known.