Jack DRINKWATER

Regimental number2600
Date of birth8 September 1899
Place of birthCue, Victoria
Other NamesPriestman, Alan
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressKatamatite, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Height5' 8.5"
Weight127 lbs
Next of kinFriend, Miss Evelyn Priestman, Avenue Road, Mosman, Sydney, New South Wales
Previous military serviceServed for 3 weeks in the 53rd Bn, Senior Cadets.
Enlistment date22 February 1916
Place of enlistmentAdelaide, South Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name32nd Battalion, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/49/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on 25 March 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll32nd Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 23 July 1919
Discharge date3 November 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Admitted to 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital, Tel el Kebir, 15 May 1916 (enteritis); transferred to 3rd Australian General Hospital, Abbassia, 19 May 1916 (dysentery); to Ras el Tin Convalescent Depot, 22 May 1916; rejoined unit, 9 July 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 2 August 1916; marched into 5th Australian Division Base Depot, Etaples, France, 11 September 1916; taken on strength, 32nd Bn, in the field, 30 September 1916.

Admitted to 5th Field Ambulance, 1 November 1916 (not yet diagnosed, and transferred same day to 36th Casualty Clearing Station; transferred to 12th General Hospital, Rouen, 16 November 1916 (myalgia); discharged to No 2 Convalescent Depot, Rouen, 26 November 1916; admitted to 6th General Hospital, Rouen, 26 November 1916 (myalgia); transferred to England, 30 November 1916, and admitted to American Women's War Hospital, Devonport, 1 December 1916 (myalgia: slight); discharged on furlough, 16 January 1917, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 7 February 1917.

Admitted to Military Hospital, Tidworth, 19 June 1918 (influenza); discharged to Depot, 26 June 1918.

By sworn declaration assumed the true name of 'Alan Priestman', 27 February 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Suevic', 23 July 1919; discharged, 3 November 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsTrue name: Alan PRIESTMAN; Evelyn PRIESTMAN was his sister; both parents dead.
SourcesNAA: B2455, DRINKWATER Jack