The AIF Project

John KATAJA

Regimental number3245
Place of birthWasa, Finland
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSeaman
AddressBrisbane, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Height5' 2.5"
Weight126 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs. Mina Kataja, Saari Jarvi Mahler, Wasa Laami, Finland
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date2 February 1917
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name2nd Light Horse Regiment, 26th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number10/7/5
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A42 Boorara on 10 May 1917
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll2nd Light Horse Regiment
FateReturned to Australia 13 March 1919
Discharge date22 March 1919
Other details

War service: failed to embark on 'Boorar', Fremantle, Western Australia, 22 May 1917. Re-embarked Fremantle on board HMAT 'Port Lincoln', 30 June 1917. Joined Isolation Camp, Moascar, Egypt, 6 August 1917. Taken on strength, 1st Light Horse Training Regiment, 9 November 1917. Transferred to 2nd Light Horse Regiment, 9 November 1917.

Found guilty, 19 March 1918, of conduct to the prejudice of good order and Military Discipline, in that he was out of bounds at Bethlehem without a pass on 14 March 1918: awarded forfeiture of 21 days' pay.

Admitted to 66th Casualty Clearing Station, 28 May 1918 (feet); transferred to 75th Casualty Clearing Station, 29 May 1918; to 47th Stationary Hospital, Gaza, 30 May 1918;to 14th Australian General Hospital, Port Said, 31 May 1918; to Rest Camp, Port Said, 11 June 1918. Found guilty, 21 June 1918, of drunkenness at Port Said, 20 june 1918: deprived of 14 days' pay. Rejoined 2nd Light Horse Regiment, 16 August 1918.

Admitted to Anzac Rest Station, 26 August 1918 (pleurisy); transferred to 32nd Casualty Clearing Station, 27 August 1918; to 24th Casualty Clearing Station, 16 September 1918; to 14th Australian General Hospital, Port Said, 16 September 1918; to Rest Camp, 7 October 1918; marched out to rejoin unit, 16 October 1918. En route admitted to hospital, 19 October 1918; transferred to 31st General Hospital, Abbassia, 29 October 1918; to Convalescent Depot, Boulac, 4 November 1918; rejoined unit, 7 December 1918.

Commenced return to Australia from Kantara on board HT 'Ultimaroa', 13 March 1919; arrived Melbourne, 19 April 1919, to disembark Brisbane; discharged, 22 March 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Subsequently returned to Finland. Address, 1921: c/o Karelian Guard Regiment, Finland.

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