| Regimental number | 1254 |
| Place of birth | Paisley, Scotland |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Coal miner |
| Address | Collie, Western Australia |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 30 |
| Height | 5' 7" |
| Weight | 122 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs H. Dickson, Aitkinson Street, Collie, Western Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Blackboy Hill, Western Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 32nd Battalion, D Company |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/49/1 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A2 Geelong on |
| The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A13 Katuna on |
| The 32nd Bn (Headquarters, Signallers, A, B, C, and D Companies) embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on two ships, HMAT A2 'Geelong', on 18 November 1915, and HMAT A13 'Katuna', on 24 November 1915. The Embarkation Roll does not distinguish between these ships, and it is therefore not possible from the Embarkation Roll to ascertain on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 32nd Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Disembarked Suez, ex-HMAT 'Geelong', 18 December 1915. Transferred to Camel Corps, 24 January 1916; taken on strength of Camel Corps, Abbassia, 25 January 1916. Admitted to English Government Hospital, Abbassia, 18 March 1916; discharged, 31 March 1916, and rejoined unit the same day. Admitted to Highland Brigade Field Ambulance, Sherika, 11 May 1916 (sand fly fever); discharged to duty, 18 May 1916. Admitted to 1/2 South West Midland Field Ambulance, Qara, 28 May 1916 (neurosis); transferred to Government Hospital, Kena, 29 May 1916; to No 3 Australian General Hospital, Cairo, 9 June 1916; embarked on Hospital Ship for England, Alexandria, 24 June 1916; to No 3 London General Hospital, Wandsworth, 3 July 1916; to No 1 Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 8 July 1916. Transferred to Parkhouse Camp, 17 August 1916, from No 1 Command Depot. Marched into 8th Training Bn, Hurdcott, 24 August 1916. Proceeded overseas to France, 16 September 1916; marched into 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Etaples, 17 September 1916. Proceeded to unit, Etaples, 18 September 1916; taken on strength of 32nd Bn, in the field, 30 September 1916. Detached to Lewis Gun School, 21 December 1916; rejoined unit, 15 January 1917. Found guilty, 5 August 1917, of being absent without leave from 0830 hours, 2 August 1917, until 1700 hours, 2 August 1917: awarded 3 days' Field Punishment No 2, and total forfeiture of 4 days' pay. On leave, 16 August 1917; rejoined unit, 2 September 1917. Wounded in action, 28 September 1917; admitted to Australian Casualty Clearing Station, 28 September 1917 (gunshot wound, right thigh); transferred to No 2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, 28 September 1917; to No 21 Ambulance Train, 28 September 1917; to No 18 General Hospital, Camiers, 28 September 1917; to No 20 General Hospital, Camiers, 7 October 1917 (scabies and gunshot wound, right thigh); discharged, 13 October 1917; marched into 5th Australian Divisional Base Depot, Le Havre, 15 October 1917. Proceeded to unit, 24 October 1917; rejoined 32nd Bn, 25 October 1917. Detached to 8th Bde Work's Unit, 14 November 1917; rejoined unit, 17 December 1917. Promoted Lance Corporal, 11 June 1918. Promoted Temporary Corporal, 28 June 1918. Promoted Corporal, 22 August 1918. Proceeded to Training Bn, 30 August 1918, and placed on Supernumerary List the same day; marched into 14th Training, Tidworth, England, 2 September 1918, and taken on strength of 14th Bn Permanent Cadre the same day. On Command at Gas School, Chiseldon, 7 October 1918; completed course, 16 October 1918. Admitted to No 2 Group Clearing Hospital, Hurdcott, 26 January 1919; discharged, 31 January 1919, and marched into 14th Training Bn the same day. Marched into Overseas Training Bde, Longbridge Deverill, 1 February 1919. Commenced return to Australia from Devonport on board HT 'Anchises', 28 February 1919; disembarked Albany, 7 April 1919; discharged Perth (termination of period of enlistment), 3 June 1919. Medals: Military Medal, 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal. |
| Date of death | |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, DICKSON John |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
