Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Jonathan Carr Comyns
Jonathan Carr Comyns was born on 23rd June 1871 at Emerald Hill, Melbourne, Victoria. He was the eighth of the nine children of Robert Comyns and his wife Fanny nēe Munday. His parents had arrived in Melbourne in the 1850’s. Robert arrived from Ireland and Fanny from Rochester in Kent.
Jonathan became a carpenter, and according to his Attestation Paper on 18 August 1914 he had previously served a 4 year term in the Infantry, 2nd Battalion Infantry.
He joined the AIF on 18th August 1914, being No. 74, and served in the 2nd Field Ambulance. In May and June 1915 he was mentioned in Divisional Orders for Gallantry or valuable service in Gallipoli. He spent several periods in hospital as a patient. From 22nd August 1915 he was in various hospitals.
He rejoined the Unit on 13th October 1915, and in November 1915 he was appointed driver.
He served at Gallipoli, Heliopolis, Mex, Maadi and Tel-el-Kebir.
On the 24 February 1916 in France he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre. This was published in the London Gazette on 24th February 1916, (Location in London Gazette: Page 2069, position 1); and in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 18th May 1916 (Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: Page 1161, position 15).
The citation for his award reads :
‘On the 25th April and following days under very heavy rifle and shell fire rendered conspicuous service collecting wounded on the beach and in gullies. Consistent bravery and great endurance in removing wounded at Helles from May 8th to May 16th. On May 10th, after other bearers were exhausted he continued to dress and remove wounded single handed.’
According to a letter written by Jonathan , he was presented with the Croix de Guerre by King George V, on 10th May 1917, at Salisbury Plain, England. Some of the records differ saying that he returned to Australia per HMAT Runic, on dates ranging from 4th May to 10th May 1917, suffice to say he was returned to Australia from Devonport per HMAT Runic, following the presentation of his medal, for bravery while evacuating wounded soldiers at Gallipoli.
He finally came back to Australia and was discharged from the AIF on 24th August 1917. Following his discharge on the 16th October 1917, he applied for the 3rd District Guard. On his Attestation Paper he nominated that he had previously served with 2nd Battalion Infantry; and 3 years AIF, 2nd Field Ambulance, Service No. 74. He also nominated that he had previously been rejected for His Majesty’s Service, as a result of suffering from shell shock. He continued to be troubled with ill health, suffering from typhus, and served with the Guard until his final discharge on medical grounds on the 12th June 1918.
Jonathan Carr Comyns was awarded the following medals:
1. 1914/15 Star
2. British War Medal
3. Victory Medal
4. ANZAC Commemorative Medallion
5. French Croix de Guerre
On 20th April 1918 in the Presbyterian Church at North Carlton, he married Elizabeth McElwee, a widow of his own age, with two young daughters.
Jonathan died on 7th October 1943 in the repatriation General Hospital, Caulfield; at the age of 72, after a heart attack. His wife predeceased him. He was buried in the New Cheltenham Cemetery, Melbourne on 9th October 1943.
He left all his possessions (clothes, furniture etc,) and three War Savings Bonds (Ten Pounds each) to his brother Alfred.
On his will, his occupation was “unable through age and war disability to follow any occupation”.