Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Medic’ for Egypt 18.1.1916.
Roll Rank Private
Roll Unit 7th Reinf, 28th Infantry Battalion, AIF.
Nielsen disembarked at Suez 16.2.1916. He joined BEF at Alexandria and embarked per HT ‘Oriana’ for Marseilles 21.3.1916. He disembarked at Marseilles 27.3.1916and was taken on strength with 28th Bn. 9.6.1916. The 28th Bn took part in their first mjaor battle at Pozieres on July 28th-6th August 1916. Nielsen was wounded in action at Pozieres with a GSW to neck and ear (mild) 29.7.1916 (West Australian Newspapers 12.12.1916) He returned to duty 17.8.1916. Nielsen suffered with trench feet 16.11.1916, in the harsh winter that year. He was invalided to England per HS ‘ Tormosa’ 16.11.1916 (reported ill West Australian Newspaper 22.12.1916). He marched in to Weymouth for Furlough 4.1.1917. Nielsen trained at Hurdcott and Wareham then transferred to the 69th Draft Bn. 19.9.1917. He proceeded overseas to France from Hurdcott 14.10.1917. Nielsen together with a group of other Privates from the 28th Bn. were Court Marshalled for disobeying orders in the field 18.7.1918. They were all sentenced to 6 months Hard Labour. Nielsen's sentence was suspended. He rejoined his Unit 27.7.1918.  The 28th Bn  was given the order to  capture the Amiens–Peronne railway bridge on 29.8.1918. The following day, they forced their way across the river around Peronne and fought at the battle of St Quentins and at Aizecourt-le-Haut. They continued fighting until early October 1918 when they were withdrawn from the line, just after an attack on the Beaureviour Line. Nielsen marched out for England from France 2.2.1919. he was admitted to Hospital with Influenza at Sutton Veny 22.3.1919 and on recovery listed for return to Australia.
Embarked Devonport for Australia per HT ‘Castalia’ 13.4.1919.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 24.5.1919.
Discharged 16.7.1919.
Final Rank Private, 28th Infantry Bn.
Medical Condition. NK.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes John (Jack) was he fifth of eight children of William and Elizabeth Jean Neilsen of 'Feronia' Queens Rd, South Guildford. His siblings were  William, Thomas, Annie, Ispen, Richard, Arthur, Carrie, Bessie (Betty). Nielsen gave his brother Arthur's Mt Lawley address as a contact and his photo appeared in the Western Mail as Jack with relatives in Farnely Street, Mt.Lawley. Neilsen married Miss Geneveive Roach in 1920 (Swan Express 22.10.1920 p5)
Photos J. Nielsen. Photograph source Daily News 12.9.1916 p7
             HMAT 'Medic' 1914. Photographer Hood, Samuel J. Photograph source AWM H19319
             Ruined gardens at Pozieres 1916. Official British War photograph, photograph source AWM EZ0097
             Men of the 14th AFM carrying soldiers with trench feet, Dec. 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00081
             Rue de Peronne, Bapaume, France. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00384

Information Source
AWM H19319. HMAT 'Medic' 1914. Photographer Hood, Samuel J. Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM EZ0097. Ruined gardens at Pozieres 1916. Official British War photograph, photograph sourced from the Pictoril Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00081. Men of the 14th AFM carrying soldiers with trench feet, Dec. 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00384. Rue de Peronne, Bapaume, France. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Daily News
Guildford Volunteer Fire Brigade
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Neilsen John Rowe
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
Swan Express
West Australian Newspaper
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories

Queens Road, South Guildford, WA.

Associated Images