| Regimental number | 5466 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Terang, Victoria |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Address | Rosebrook, Port Fairy, Victoria |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 20 |
| Next of kin | Father, J Sommerville, Rosebrook, Port Fairy, Victoria |
| Enlistment date | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 14th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/31/4 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Company Sergeant Major |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 14th Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near ASCENSION WOOD on 18/9/18. Soon after crossing the RED LINE this N.C.O.'s platoon came under very heavy machine gun fire and as platoon Sgt he rallied his men and led them boldly forward and captured LITTLE BILL Copse. Soon after the advance was again temporarily held up and by cleverly working his men under cover Sgt Sommerville saved the platoon from suffering a large number of casualties. Again the same evening the Coy attacked the old enemy support line and during the advance his platoon encountered an enemy strong post which had been very active during the day and had hung up the advance. This he successfully attacked by moving around its flank. Besides killing 8 of its occupants his platoon captured 12 prisoners and 6 enemy machine guns. Throughout the whole operation he displayed great skill in handling his platoon and set his men a splendid example by his cool and daring.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115 Date: |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Total war service: 1284 days (of which 1180 days were abroad) Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal Also served in World War II as VX39290, Warrant Officer II, Convalescent Depot, AIF, 14 January 1941-28 January 1946. |
| Miscellaneous details | Name recorded on Embarkation Roll as John Herbert SOMERVILLE. |
| Date of death | |
| Age at death | 56 |
| Place of burial | Heidelberg Cemetery, Victoria |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
