The AIF Project

John Joseph SCANLAN

Date of birth19 October 1890
Place of birthAlbert Park, Melbourne, Victoria
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationShipping clerk
Address270 Richardson Street, Middle Park, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation24
Next of kinFather, J A Scanlon, 270 Richardson Street, Middle Park, Victoria
Enlistment date24 August 1914
Rank on enlistment2nd Lieutenant
Unit name7th Battalion, D Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/24/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A20 Hororata on 19 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollBrevet Major
Unit from Nominal Roll59th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 31448 (11 July 1919); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 124 (30 October 1919).3

FateReturned to Australia 13 April 1919
Medals

Distinguished Service Order


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 173
Date: 7 November 1918

DSO and Bar

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer commanded a battalion in a counter attack on a village. The battalion formed the right of the attack on the first and second objectives, and the village, being strongly held, it was necessary to mask the advance of the troops between the two objectives by facing part of them to the right. They had thus to advance into a pocket in which they were enclosed on three sides by the enemy. When the troops were checked by heavy machine gun fire, he urged them forward in an irrestistible rush, gaining the second objective with few casualties, but inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. The masking movement was ably carried out, and enabled another unit to pass through to the third objective.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. Commanded 59th Battalion, 1918-19.

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