Jack Griffiths who served in World War I before settling in Tamworth

His parents were James Shackle and Mary Jane Griffiths.

Jack was the second eldest of six sons born to James and Mary.  He spent his early life in the Dungog district of  NSW and was presumably educated at the local school along with his other siblings. 

Jack’s family came to Tamworth around 1911. He worked as a labourer for his father James Griffiths who was a builder in the Tamworth district.   

Jack according to his enlistment papers also had previous military experience, probably militia, and was a member of the fifth Light Horse Regiment in Dungog. 

These regiments later on were amalgamated to form the Hunter River Lancers.  

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Age: 21 years two months

Height: five foot six inches

Weight: nine stone five pounds

Chest : 30 to 33 inches

Complexion: Dark

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Black

Religion: Church of England

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Interestingly, a month earlier my Great Uncle Eric Vial also enlisted in Armidale and both he and Jack found themselves in the same Battalion and Regiment. 

They would have known each other, but little would they have suspected what the future held, for Eric was killed in action in 1916, Jack would survive the war relatively unscathed (he was wounded four times)  and some 27 years later Jack would marry Eric’s sister who was my Great Aunt Ivy and they would later live in the very house where Eric was raised in Carthage Street, Tamworth.

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Jack was encamped in Armidale at the showgrounds and would have undergone basic training there. On April 1, 1916 he along with the rest of the Third Battalion embarked for the war on board the SS "Makarini" bound for the Suez. 

Jack disembarked in Suez on May 2, 1916.  On July 25, 1916 he was transferred to the first Training Battalion and sent to Perhem Downs in England and nine days later on August 3, 1916 was taken on strength in France. 

Jack saw action in the Somme Valley and at Amiens.  He was wounded in action on August 18, 2016 and sent to the Hospital at Etaples and later Camiers.   He had also contracted VD which put him out of action for some 43 days. 

By December 30, 1916 he had  rejoined his unit.

Little more is heard of him until he is once again wounded in action on October 4, 1917 which required more hospitalisation.  This wound was a bit more serious however but not life threatening. 

Jack was again wounded in action on March 25, 2018 and transferred to England on March 30, 1918 for treatment for a shrapnel wound to the right arm and was placed into various areas during this time of rehabilitation. 

All up Jack was wounded in action some four times.   

On September 22, 1918 he was back in France and taken on strength in the field.   

His documents show that he along with his unit remained behind in France after the Armistice and into the early months of 1919 more than likely were engaged in mopping up operations. 

On March 21, 1919 he marched in to England from France.   

A month later he again went AWL from 1230hrs on April 26, 1919 to 0700hrs on April 28, 1919  He received an admonishment and forfeited two days pay. 

He boarded the SS Port Darwin around June of that year and was on his way home.  He disembarked in Melbourne on July 27, 1919 and was discharged from service. 

 Upon discharge he returned home Jack went to work for his father James as a builders labourer. 

He was also involved in local cricket being mentioned in numerous newspaper articles and was a member of several rep teams in the district. 

In 1942 Jack married Ivy Eileen Vial ( Eric’s sister).  Jack and Ivy lived at 48 Carthage  Street Tamworth which was the Vial family home.  The very same home in which both Eric and Ivy were raised.  

For his service he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.  Jack also enlisted in the Citizens Military Forces during the Second World War.  His serial Number was N163259                   

John ( Jack ) Morgan GRIFFITHS passed away aged 73 on July 8, 1969.