Military History

Embarked Fremantle per ‘Port Melbourne’ A16 28.10.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 8th Infantry Brigade, 32nd Infantry Battalion, 10th Reinf.
McCelland disembarked at Devonport 28.12.1916. He marched in to the 8th Training Bn. at Hurdcott. McClelland was admitted to Fovant Military Hospital N.Y.D. 14.3.1917. He was discharged to Hurdcott 25.3.1917 and proceeded overseas to France via Folkestone 5.4.1917. He was taken on Strength with the 32nd Bn. in the Field 12.4.1917 as the 32nd Bn. was advancing towards the Hindenburg Line. McClelland was wounded in action at the Battle of Bullecourt with severe GSWs to his left leg and both wrists 29.9.1917. He was invalided to England by HS 10.10.1917 and admitted to the Temp. Hospital at Exeter 10.10.1917. McClelland was discharged from Hospital for Furlough. He was listed for early return to Australia as an invalid with limited movement to his right knee, a result of a shell wound.
Embarked Weymouth for Australia per HT ‘Dunvegan Castle’.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 12.3.1918.
Discharged 8.11.1918.
Final Rank Private, 32nd Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Invalided with a S.W. right leg and wrist.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes McClelland returned from overseas service to find his wife had left for the Riverina District in NSW. He spent 8 months in base hospital at Fremantle recovering from his wounds.  He divorced his wife on the grounds of adultery and took custody of his son Gordon.(Western Argus- Kalgoorlie 1.7.1919 p8)
Photos  HMAT 'Port Melbourne'. Photographer Josiah Barnes. Photograph sourced from AWM B0259
            Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H12360
               Temporary Hospital Exeter, possibly temporary V.A. hospital No. 5,College Hostel, Bradninch House, Exeter (permission awaiting).
Information Source
AWM B0259.HMAT 'Port Melbourne'. Photographer Josiah Barnes. Photograph sourced from  the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H12360. Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll- John Thoma McClelland
  Temporary Hospital Exeter c1916. Possibly temporary V.A. hospital No. 5, College Hostel, Bradninch House, Exeter. (Awaiting permision to use )
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, McClelland J T
Western Argus

65 Heresford Street, Victoria Park, WA.

Associated Images