MCGOWAN, John Joseph
| Service Number: | 2943 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 September 1916, Brisbane, Qld. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 49th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Sligo, Ireland, 1883 |
| Home Town: | Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Memorials: | Beaudesert War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 5 Sep 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2943, 49th Infantry Battalion, Brisbane, Qld. | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Oct 1916: | Involvement Private, 2943, 49th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Marathon embarkation_ship_number: A74 public_note: '' | |
| 27 Oct 1916: | Embarked Private, 2943, 49th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Marathon, Brisbane |
Logan Village Museum
John was born about 1883 in Sligo Ireland. He died 30th July 1952 in Queensland. To date we have not found where he has been buried or remembered. (2022)
His parents were Owen and Sarah nee Gilhool.
Along with his brother Eugene they are both mentioned in the book by David Mason "The Soldiers & Nurses of the Beaudesert District in WW1 (1914-1919)".
Submitted 4 March 2023 by Coralyn Cowin
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Sarah McGOWAN of Beaudesert, Qld.
Military Medal
'In the operation on 5th April, 1918, near DERNANCOURT South West of ALBERT this soldier was the only one of his team who reached the final position. Immediately on arrival there, he put his gun into position and with commendable bravery and coolness worked it single-handed in the face of fierce enemy Machine Gun and Rifle fire. He and his gun were twice buried. When he was dug out, he secured his gun, cleaned it, and continued to work it. A great amount of credit is due to this soldier for his undoubted courage, coolness and good spirits which went far towards cheering up all those who came into contact with him.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 191
Date: 12 December 1918
Tried by Field General Court Martial, 23 July 1918, on charge of deserting His Majesty's Services from 8 pm, 5 July, until reporting back on 9 July 1918: found guilty: awarded 2 years' imprisonment with hard labour. Sentence suspended, 4 August 1918.
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