John Champion
Rank:
Private
Serial No:
Serial No. 1330
Regiment:
30th Battalion
Suburb:
Picton
John Champion - Information
When John decided to sign up for war service, he was residing at 47 Charles St in Forrest Lodge with his wife, Lily. He was born in the Picton area to William and Ann Champion. He supported the family working as a wharf labourer. He enlisted in Warwick Farm on the 3rd of August 1915, aged 35. He was then sent overseas from Sydney on the 9th of November 1915 on the HMAT Beltana, sailing as a Private with the 30th Battalion.
John arrived at the Suez Canal on the 11th of December 1915. However, not long after arriving, John had an accident on the 24th of January 1916, hurting his right thigh. He was admitted to the 1st Australian Stationary Hospital in Ismalia, with an abrasion and fractured femur. He was also admitted for alcoholism. The following month, he was moved to the 3rd Australian General Hospital in Abbassia. The damage to his leg was too severe, and he was sent back to Australia on the 12th of April 1916. The following year, John and Lily moved to Annandale. Sadly he passed away in 1935.