Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Hororata’ A 20 for Egypt 5.10.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 11th Infantry Battalion, 9th Reinforcements, Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
Law disembarked in Egypt. He joined his Unit at Tel-el-Kebir 7.1.1916. Law transferred to the 51st Battalion at Serapeum 1.3.1916. This reorganisation came about after the evacuation from Gallipoli campaign and with doubling of troop numbers. The more experienced soldiers were placed with new recruits before transfer to France. Law was appointed Lance Corporal 18.3.1916. He was promoted to Corporal 14.3.1916 and Sergeant 27.4.1916. Law joined the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in Alexandria and embarked per ‘Ivernia’ for France 5.6.1916. He disembarked at Marseilles 12.6.1916. The 51st Battalion fought at Mouquet Farm from 14th August to 3rd September, suffering casualties to 1/3 of their total number (AWM 51st Battalion). Law was in charge of No.8 platoon. He was last seen on 3.9.1916 with severe gunshot wounds near Mouquet Farm walking back towards the trench.(AWM Red Cross File). Law was reported missing in action in France 9.9.1916. The Court of Enquiry determined with he was KIA by 3.9.1916. Law is commemorated with a Memorial Cross erected at Villers-Bretonneux Memorial MR 26, Part IV, K- M.
Final Rank Sergeant. 51st Battalion Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Law was the son of the District Engineer for the Goldfields Water Supply
Photos John Allen Law 20.7.1915. Photographer unknown, photograph source SLWA BA88/3
             51st Bn. at Blackboy Hill Training Camp 20.7.1915. John Allen Law standing Centre. Photographer unknown, photograph source  SLWA   BA88/3
             HMAT' Hororata' at Port Melbourne 1915. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB0437
             Mouquet Farm 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00005
             Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph source H17454

Information Source
AWM PB0437. HMAT 'Hororata' at Port Melbourne 1915. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E0000. Mouquet Farm 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the  Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H17454. Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll John Allen Law
AWM Roll of Honour John Allen Law
AWM,Red Cross File John Allen Law
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
Guildford Grammar School War Memorial
NAA B2455 Law J A
SLWA BA88/3. 51st Battalon at Blackboy Hill Training Camp 20.7.1915. John Allen Law standing Centre. Photographer unknown, photograph reproduced with permission of the State Library Board of Western Australia


Southern Cross. WA.

Associated Images