General News
29 October, 2022
Veteran's Voices: Sergeant John Waddell
"Prior to WWI, John immigrated from Scotland to Australia and was engaged in farming at Netherby, Hindmarsh Shire.
JOHN Waddell was born in Glasgow, Scotland to William and Frances Waddell.
John’s occupation before enlistment was a farmer.
Prior to World War One, John immigrated from Scotland to Australia, and was engaged in farming at Lorquon West, Netherby, Hindmarsh Shire, Victoria.
World War One Service
John enlisted on July 6, 1916, and the term of his enlistment was to serve in the war, and for four months afterwards.
He was allocated to reinforcements for the 58th Battalion 1st AIF and was ordered to embark for England aboard the A7 ‘Medic’ for further training on December 16.
He embarked (for) Plymouth on February 18, arriving in England safely.
John entered camp at Hurdcott for further training with the 15th Training Battalion, and marched on February 18, 1917.
He was appointed Acting Corporal.
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John reverted back to Corporal before proceeding overseas via ‘Folkestone’ on July 2 to France, where he was officially ‘taken on strength’ with his Battalion on August 1.
John was allowed a brief respite of Leave to England which was commended on December 24, 1917.
He returned to France to join his Unit in the 58th Battalion in the field on January 10, 1918.
After a brief period of sickness where he was hospitalised on April 10, John’s service in the trenches would be continuous until he was evacuated by 15 AF Ambulance for his second hospitalisation after being gassed on July 8.
He was admitted to 3 Station Hospital in Rouen, France on July 11 1918, and then to 2 Con Depot on July 13, 1918.
On returning to his Unit he entered the trenches, John was evacuated for hospitalisation on September 25, 1918, after having sustained a shrapnel wound to his right knee.
Following his recovery he was sent back to his Battalion on October 28, 1918 after being discharged at hospital in Havre, France.
John was again granted leave to England on November 25, 1918 by Administration Headquarters and returned to his Unit on December 11, 1918.
With the war now over, John continued to serve in France, where he was temporarily dispatched for duty with the Graves Regiment Detachment on March 24,1919.
John would serve with the Graves Regiment Detachment until he returned to his 58th Battalion Unit on June 3, 1919.
John was appointed Lieutenant Corporal on May 12, 1919 in France. His commission was granted on July 2, 1919.
John was granted leave from June 14, 1919 to June 18, 1919. John began his repatriation back to Australia on June 13, 1919 and, following his arrival back in England from France, he began his long journey home to Australia per ‘Persio’ on August 26, 1919.
Following his arrival in Australia, John received his official discharge from the 1st AIF at the 3rd Military District for his reentry into civilian life on October 6, 1919.
He was dispatched to Lorquon West.
John received the 1914 -15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal for service in World War One.
World War Two Service
With the outbreak of the Second World War, John again presented himself for service with the Australian Military Forces on May 23,1941 and was accepted for full-time service within Australia (Home Service).
John enlisted at Royal Park Melbourne and was 55 years old upon enlistment.
His Next of Kin was his wife Margaret Waddell of Ensay, Gippsland, Victoria.
On John’s mobilisation enrolment form his service number was V14703.
John was taken on strength on May 23, 1941 and was posted to the Victoria Echelon and Records Office, 3rd District Records, Area 6, Carlton.
John’s service would be continous despite several bouts of illness.
He became an Acting Sergeant on November 8, 1943.
John received news of the passing of his wife Margaret on February 4, 1944.
As a result of her passing his daughter, Mary Alma Ames, became his Next of Kin.
On March 1, 1944, John’s rank of Sergeant was confirmed.
Due to John’s health his medical category was changed from Category B to B2 on July 31, 1944.
John again spent time in hospital from October 12, 1944 to November 20, 1944.
He rejoined his Unit on November 28, 1944.
John was evacuated on December 15, 1944 due to contracting tuberculosis.
While undergoing treatment at the 115th Australian General Hospital in Heidelberg, John succumbed to the illness on January 12, 1945, at 59 years of age.
Following his death while again serving in the Australian Military Forces, Sergeant John Waddell- a wounded veteran of World War One who again chose to serve his country in World War Two- was formally laid to rest within Springvale War Cemetery in Victoria.
John is commemorated at the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour on Panel 11, and the Netherby District Honour Roll.