Australian Army Veterinary Corps
John Russell DICKSON
Private
Died 15 October 1918 · Aged 22
His story
John Russell Dickson was a clerk from Warrnambool, Victoria. Unmarried, he lived at 438 Punt Road, South Yarra, and named his father James of Warrnambool as next of kin. He stated his age as 21 when he attested in Melbourne on 7 March 1917. His papers record earlier home service and a previous rejection for a heart condition.
He joined the veterinary corps at Maribyrnong in March 1917 and embarked from Melbourne aboard Themistocles on 4 August. After reaching Glasgow on 2 October he was admitted to Parkhouse Hospital with mumps on 10 October, returning to the training depot on 30 October.
Dickson proceeded to France in November and joined the Australian Veterinary Hospital at Calais on 2 December 1917. In May 1918 he was posted for duty with the 1st Australian Veterinary Evacuating Station. After leave in Britain during September, he returned to France and was attached to 4th Australian Division Headquarters on 9 October.
He was admitted with influenza on 13 October 1918 and died of bronchopneumonia at 41st Stationary Hospital on 15 October. Originally buried at Dury Hospital Military Cemetery, his remains were subsequently reinterred at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Plot XV, Row C, Grave 5. A letter to his family explains that the transfer followed difficulties providing access to the original cemetery through the grounds of a psychiatric institution.
Before the war
- Nationality
- Australian
- Date of birth
- About 1895–1896; stated age 21 in March 1917
- Place of birth
- Warrnambool, Victoria
- Occupation
- Clerk
- Residence recorded
- 438 Punt Road, South Yarra, Victoria
- Family
- Father: James Dickson, Warrnambool; unmarried at enlistment
Military service
- Rank recorded
- Private
- Service number
- 1123
- Corps or service
- Australian Army Veterinary Corps
- Unit
- Australian Veterinary Hospital, Calais; later 1st Australian Veterinary Evacuating Station
- Attachment
- 4th Australian Division Headquarters, 9 October 1918
- Earlier service
- Home service; attestation records a previous rejection for a heart condition
Death and burial
- Date of death
- 15 October 1918
- Age
- 22
- Place of death
- 41st Stationary Hospital, France
- Recorded cause
- Bronchopneumonia following admission with influenza
- Cemetery or memorial
- Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery
- Grave reference
- XV. C. 5.
His life in dates
- 7 March 1917Attested at Melbourne.
- 4 August 1917Embarked aboard Themistocles.
- 2 December 1917Joined the Australian Veterinary Hospital at Calais.
- May 1918Posted to the 1st Australian Veterinary Evacuating Station.
- 13–15 October 1918His medical treatmentAdmitted with influenza; died of bronchopneumonia at 41st Stationary Hospital.
Selected dated events from the evidence identified below.
Where he worked
- Australian Veterinary Hospital
Joined on 2 December 1917; posted to the veterinary evacuating station in May 1918.
- 1st Australian Veterinary Evacuating Station
His casualty forms record posting for duty with the 1st Australian Veterinary Evacuating Station in May 1918.
A recorded posting supplies context for his service. Exact duties and presence during a particular incident require their own evidence.
Connected men
- Edwin ABRAHAMAlso recorded with Australian Veterinary Hospital
- John BURRELLAlso recorded with Australian Veterinary Hospital
- Ernest William Henry REINMUTHAlso recorded with Australian Veterinary Hospital
- Richard TURNERAlso buried at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery
Sources and further reading
Cite this biography
Graham Hodgkins and Pete Matthews, “John Russell Dickson”, Veterinary Virtual War Memorial, https://vetsremembered.org/people/john_russell_dickson/.
Contribute information
Can you add a portrait or family letters from Dickson, or identify the complete archival service-file reference? Please include the source.