| Regimental number | 7231 |
| Place of birth | Belfast, Co Antrim, Ireland |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Address | Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 27 |
| Height | 5' 8" |
| Weight | 143 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs L A Esler, c/o M C Hurry, Lincoln Street, Nundora Estate, Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Place of enlistment | Toowoomba, Queensland |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 15th Battalion, 24th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/32/3 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A33 Ayrshire on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Sergeant |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | Australian Army Pay Corps |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Sydney, 24 January 1917; disembarked Devonport, England, 12 April 1917, and marched into 4th Training Bn, Codford. Appointed Acting Lance Corporal, 2 June 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 9 July 1917, and reverted to the ranks; taken on strength, 15th Bn, in the field, 27 July 1917. Wounded in action, 26 September 1917 (gun shot wound, jaw), and admitted to 3rd Australian Field Ambulance, 27 September 1917; transferred to 83rd General Hospital, Boulogne, 27 September 1917; to 4th Australian Division Base Depot, Havre, 29 November 1917; to No 2 General Hospital, Havre, 29 November 1917 (influenza); to No 4 Convalescent Depot, Havre, 10 December 1917; to 4 ADBD, 18 December 1917; rejoined unit, in the field, 8 January 1918. Transferred to Australian Army Pay Corps, 4 September 1918; promoted to ER Sergeant while performing pay duties, 4 September 1918, and attached to 15th Bn as Pay Sergeant. Marched out to England for duty as Chief Pay Officer, 6 May 1919. Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'City of Exeter', 12 July 1919; disembarked Sydney, 26 August 1919; discharged, 5 October 1919. Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, ESLER John |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
