The AIF Project

Joseph Harold DURKIN

Regimental number5372
Place of birthKilmore, Victoria
SchoolKilmore Catholic College, Victoria
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationTrain examiner
Address150 Pelham Street, Carlton, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Height5' 7.25"
Weight149 lbs
Next of kinFather, B Durkin, Sydney Street, Kilmore, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date28 January 1916
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name6th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/23/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 4 April 1916
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll6th Battalion
FateMurdered 27 November 1917
Age at death24
Place of burialSt John Churchyard (Row B, Grave No 18), Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, England
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Bartholomew and Clara DURKIN
Other details

Admitted to 17th General Hospital, Alexandria, 8 May 1916; transferred to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Cairo, 15 June 1916; discharged, 15 August 1916; total period of treatment for venereal disease: 100 days.

Embarked Alexandria, 27 August 1916; disembarked England (date not recorded).

Proceeded on furlough, 14 September 1916; reported back to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, from furlough, 30 September 1916; marched into 2nd Training Bn, No 3 Camp, Perham Downs, 30 October 1916.

Appointed Acting Corporal, 24 October 1917.

Found dead in Lewis Gun Hut, No 2 Camp, 27 November 1917; buried in Sutton Veny Churchyard, 1 December 1917.

Coroner's Court held at Military Hospital, Sutton Veny, 29 November 1917, returned a verdict of death by a self-inflicted wound during a period of temporary insanity.

Several days later 'a soldier in the adjoining hut made a report inculpating [296A Acting Corporal V.] Asser', who was subsequently tried by Civil Court at the Assizes, Devizes, found guilty of murder, and subsequently hanged on 5 March 1918.

Medal: British War Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, DURKIN Joseph Harold

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