John Joseph HARMAN

Regimental number4065
Place of birthBroken Hill, New South Wales
SchoolRoman Catholic College
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationTelegraph operator
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Next of kinMother, Mrs F Harman, Ansty Road, West Guildford, Western Australia
Previous military serviceServed in the Cadets
Enlistment date28 May 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll31 May 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name12th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/29/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT RMS Orontes on 24 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll1st Pioneer Battalion
Other details from Roll of Honour CircularCopy of a letter from Frances Harman (mother) and an extract from the newspaper. "I may be doing wrong in sending this but as my son had neither medals or decorations only his Captains Appreciation which is worth more to me. So I am sending the enclosed cutting". "Mrs Frank Harman, of Anstey Road, West Guildfor, has received the following letter from Captain Leith giving her particulars of her son's death. The late soldier, who in civil life was onthe staff of the Guildford post office, was well known in Guildford and Midland football and swimming circles. Dear Mrs Harman, I have very much regret in writing to have to inform you of your son's death, which took place near Hooge onthe 21st September, 1917. He was a member of my company, and was a man whom all the men always spoke well of, both for his goodfellowship, devotion to duty and soldierly manner generally. The officers and men of this company all speak very hightly of his good character. He was working with a party of his company near the Minin road the day after this Division captured Inverness Copse, when the enemy suddenly directed shell fire on the party. He was killed by shell wounds, and was immediately carried to the rear. He was buried with full military honors in a military grave-yard named Krustrart Cemetery, lying between, Ypres and Dickebusch. The "Last Post" was sounded over his grave. Again expressing my regret and asking you to accept my heartfelt sympathy in your deep bereaveemnt, - I am yours very sincerely, F. KEITH, Capt." France, 22/9/17
FateKilled in Action 21 September 1917
Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll)*Second entry both matched
Place of death or woundingYpres, Belgium
Age at death from cemetery records21
Place of burialBelgian Battery Corner Cemetery (Plot II, Row B, Grave No. 5), Ypres, Belgium
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
171
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Francis and Frances HARMAN, anstey Road, West Guildford, Western Australia. Native of Broken Hill, New South Wales. Previously served as Pte. No. 1139 in 28th Battalion
Family/military connectionsCousin; Killed in action