John Farrell
Rank:
Private
Serial No:
Serial No. 2864
Regiment:
5th Pioneer Battalion
Suburb:
Picton
John Farrell - Information
When John decided to enlist in the AIF, he was living at 277 Railway Parade in Marylands, Western Australia with his wife. John was born in Picton, and later found work as a miner in WA. When he was 49 years old, he enlisted in the AIF in Perth on the 17th of April 1916. Naturally he was posted to the Tunnelling Reinforcements, before becoming a Private with the 6th Reinforcements, 5th Pioneer Battalion. He was then shipped off for war service, leaving Fremantle on the 30th of October 1916 upon the HMAT Port Melbourne.
At the end of December, John disembarked in Devonport. He commenced further training at Larkhill. However, he went AWL on the 8th of January until the 24th of January when he was apprehended by Military Police. He was brought to trial and sentenced to 16 days detention. At the end of July, he was attached for duty with the 9th Training Battalion in Fovant. However, on the 1st of November, he was sent back to Australia for senility and rheumatism. He was medically discharged on Christmas Day and reunited with his wife.