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d.o.b
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date enlisted
John William Hersom enlisted in the A.I.F. at Cairns on 22 February 1916. At enlistment, he was a “painter”. He declared his age as 31 years 9 months and birthplace as Essex, England. He was 5 feet 7 ½ inches in height, 140 pounds in weight, of fair complexion, with hazel eyes and brown hair. No religion was stated. -
date ship sailed
On 19 September 1916, Private Hersom embarked at Brisbane on HMAT A49 “Seang Choon”. -
disembarked at plymouth
He disembarked at Plymouth on 9 December and was marched in to the 8th Training Battalion at Larkhill, Wiltshire on 11 December. -
marched into 8th training baffalion
On 16 January 1917, he proceeded to Folkestone where he embarked on “Princess Victoria” for France. He marched in to the 5th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples on 17 January. He was taken on strength of 31st Battalion in the field on 23 January. It was midwinter and, thereafter, his war would be characterised by almost continual ill-health. -
suffering from bronchial catarrh
On 31 January 1917, he reported suffering from bronchial catarrh. -
admitted to 45th casual clearing station
He was admitted to 45th Casualty Clearing Station at Edgehill (Dernancourt) on 4 February and then by No.4 Train to the 10th General Hospital at Rouen on 7 February. It was not until 13 March that he marched out to the 5th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples. He re-joined his unit ten days later. -
at general hospital
then by No.4 Train to the 10th General Hospital at Rouen on 7 February. -
re-joined unit
It was not until 13 March that he marched out to the 5th Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples. He re-joined his unit ten days later. -
sick at hospital
On 2 April 1917, he was again sick to hospital. The condition was subsequently diagnosed “neurasthenia”. The term was originally used as early as 1829 to describe an actual mechanical weakness of the nerves and was a common diagnosis in World War 1. Within a decade, it was effectively abandoned as a medical diagnosis. The term “shell shock” took common, if imprecise, usage. -
rejoined unit
Private Hersom marched out to the 5th Division Base Depot on 14 May, but he did not re-join his unit until 22 June. -
8th field ambulance
On 7 July 1917, Private Hersom presented sick to 8th Field Ambulance with pharyngitis. He was admitted to 56th Casualty Clearing Station at Gezaincourt but then transferred by Ambulance Train to 1st Australian General Hospital in Rouen where he was admitted on 9 July. -
attached to the 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery
On 20 September 1917, he was attached to the 8th Light Trench Mortar Battery, 8th Infantry Brigade, but six days later he again presented sick to 8th Field Ambulance. -
admitted to 56th General Hospital
On 1 October, he was admitted to 56th General Hospital and on 3 October to 26th General Hospital, both at Etaples. On 11 October, he was moved to 6th Convalescent Depot and, on 13 December, to 5th Convalescent Depot, both at Etaples. -
rejoined unit
He did not re-join his unit in the field until 25 February 1918. -
proceeded to England on UK leave
On 11 March 1918, he proceeded to England on UK leave. He returned to 31st Battalion in the field on 29 March. -
returned to battalion
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suffering with trench fever
7 August, was admitted to 1st Birmingham War Hospital (Rednal) suffering from “trench fever”. Chief symptoms were headache, skin rash, inflamed eyes and leg pain. In 1918, the root cause of the condition was found to be excretions from lice. Sufferers typically recovered after several days but much longer episodes necessitating hospitalisation were not uncommon. -
sick again
On 9 August 1918, he presented sick to 12th Casualty Clearing Station at Longpre. His condition was diagnosed as “hyperthyroidism”. He was transported by Ambulance Train to 1st South African General Hospital at Abbeville where he was admitted on 12 August. Three days later, he was invalided to the United Kingdom on “Jan Breydel” -
disembarked at Sydney
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recieved medals
John Hersom was issued the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. -
death