John Harold Bedford
Rank:
Private
Serial No:
Serial No. 6846
Regiment:
20th Battalion, 34th Battalion & Pioneer Battalion
Suburb:
Picton
John Harold Bedford - Information
John came from the Sydney suburbs, born in Woollahra to Henry and Ellen Bedford. He then left his family in Marrickville and moved to Picton. Here, John found work as a bootmaker. Just after he turned 18, he enlisted in the AIF in Picton on the 2nd of February 1917. John trained in Sydney, becoming a Private with the 20th Reinforcements, 20th Battalion. He then boarded the HMAT Suevic in Melbourne, leaving for war service on the 21st of June 1917.
John stepped off the ship in Liverpool, England in late August. Marched out to the 5th Training Battalion in Rollestone, he spent a long time in England conducting exercises. In June 1918, John was transferred to the 34th Battalion at Fovant. The following month, he was transported to the Western Front. Then only a few weeks after joining the 34th Battalion, he was detached to the Pioneer Battalion from the 3rd of August until the 15th of October. The war was soon over. John was taken back to England in May 1919, and presently commenced his journey home. John passed away on the 5th of October 1969.