John Edward Compton

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sat, 05/12/2015 - 13:57

First Name:

John

Middle Name:

Edward

Last Name:

Compton

Mother's Name:

Lydia Compton nee Green

Father's Name:

William Compton

Date Enlisted:

Monday, August 16, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

13th Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Tuesday, August 29, 1916

Place of Death:

Mouquet Farm, France

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

John Compton (Service No 3727) was born in Balgownie, N.S.W. around 1895.

John enlistment when he was 20 years old, single, and employed as a miner. He had previously served with 37th Infantry Militia.

John embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A29 Suevic with 12th Reinforcements on 12th December 1915. After arriving in Egypt he joined B Company, 13th Battalion, on 4th March 1916 and was sent on to France with them on 8th June 1916.

Soon after, the 13th Battalion was in the fighting on the Somme. They captured the village of Pozieres and moved forward to take Mouquet Farm. On 19th August 1916 John Compton was made Acting Corporal. While attacking Mouquet Farm on 29th August 1916 Walter was killed by an exploding shell.

There is no know grave for Walter; he is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneaux, France.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, COMPTON J E