Just Another Pair Of Socks

Melton District ANZACS

Joseph NOLAN

Personal

Joseph Nolan

Born: 1886

Birth registration: Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages Registration No. 20971

Birthplace: Port Melbourne

Parents: Father: Patrick Nolan
Mother: Mary Ryan

Died: 29 September, 1966

Place of death: Melton, Victoria; Registration No. 220215

Awards and Honours

  • British War Medal 1914-20
  • Victory Medal

Battalions

39th Battalion, B Company

Events

Enlistment

Regimental Service Number: 542

Enlistment date: 4 February, 1916 Melbourne

Age at enlistment: 29 years 5 months

Address at enlistment: 55 Dryburg Street, North Melbourne

Religion: Roman Catholic

Marital Status: Single

Next of kin: Father: Patrick Nolan, C/- Post Office, Melton

Physical Description: Height: 5 feet 7 inches
Weight: 146lb
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Dark Grey
Distinctive marks: Vac X4; Scar left jaw; Moles right breast, left shoulder blade

Embarkation ship: HMAT A11 Ascanuis.

Rank: Private

Return Date: 30 April, 1919

Return Vessel: Karogala.

Arrival at Australia: 12 June, 1919.

Discharge Date: 27 July, 1919

War Service Summary

Trained at Ballarat
25/05/1916 - Embarked Melbourne
18/07/1916 - Disembarked Devonport
23/11/1916 - Proceeded overseas to France
10/07/1916-12/07/1916 - AWL about 36 hours - Forfeits 10 days pay
28/11/1917 - Granted Leave in France
11/12/1917 - Rejoined unit
06/12/1917 9/12/1917 - Overstays his leave forfeits 3 days pay
17/03/1918 - Granted Leave to England
04/04/1918 - Rejoined battalion
07/06/1918 - To hospital sick with Trench Fever; taken from France to hospital South General Hospital, Oxford, England
23/06/1918 - Invalided to England trench fever
15/07/1918 - Marched in to Hurdcott from 3rd A.A.H., Dartford
09/08/1918-10/08/1918 - AWL 1 day total forfeiture 4 days pay
17/10/1918 - Proceed overseas to France via Southampton ex Longbridge, Deverill
22/11/1918 - Rouelles
03/12/1918 - Rejoined unit in the field
17/02/1919 - Marched out of France for Return to Australia
28/01/1919 - Marched out to England from Havre
01/03/1919 - Disembarked, Weymouth
01/05/1919 - RTA per Karogala

War Service Commemerated

Life After the War

Names of wife & children:

Place/s of residence:

Occupations:

Date of death: 29/09/1966 at Melton
Place of burial:

Other relevant information:

Additional Information

Army Pay Book # 120127

Melton Express
Bacchus Marsh Express
Saturday 8 April 1916, P 2

The recruiting meeting held, in the Mechanics' Institute here on Friday evening was well attended by both sexes. The proceedings opened with God save the King. Cr. Robinson (Shire President) presided. On the platform with him were Hon. Frank Clarke, M.L.C., Private A. T. Ozanne, and Sergeant McKenzie (a returned soldier), each of whom addressed the meeting, exhorting those present in every possible manner to enlist, and take up the duties for the protection of their people and country. When a call was made for recruits, the following five young men responded - H. Sawyer, E. Minns, H. Black, and two of Mr. P. Nolan's sons, the latter making four from Mr. Nolan's family, as two others are already at the Front. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. and Mrs. Nolan, and acknowledged. The addresses were listened to in the orderly manner due to such occasions. and each speaker was well received, and applauded, for his effort. Mr. Frank Clarke explained why he resigned from the Central Recruiting Committee, and the explanation, was well received. The proceedings were enlivened by patriotic songs from Mrs. Allen, Miss Scotson and Mr. Percy Butler, who enlisted some short time back.

Melton Express
Saturday 6 July 1918, P 2
. To show the inequality of sacrifice in connection with the war, it is interesting to note that the whole family of Nolan brothers and Neal brothers enlisted. Three Nolans and Frank Neal have returned. Privates Joe Nolan and Keith and Jack Neal are still in the firing line.

Sources

Australian War Memorial
Service Record
Newspaper accounts
Family sources