John Kippax Hilton

John Hilton (Service No 1541) was born in Thirroul, N.S.W. in 1894.

At enlistment John was single, 20 years old, but stated his age as 24 years and 3 months old; he worked as a miner and lived at Lithgow, N.S.W.  

He embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A14 Euripides with 3rd Battalion, H Company on 20th October 1914.  He arrived in Egypt in December and landed on Gallipoli on 25th April 1915.  John was promoted to Corporal in the field on 23rd June 1915.  He remained on Gallipoli until the troops were withdrawn.  On 3rd November 1915 John was promoted to Sergeant.

After leaving Gallipoli, John was sent to Egypt, then on to France where he arrived on 28th March 1916.  He was wounded in action at Pozieres, sometime between 22nd and 27th July 1916.  He was evacuated to hospital for treatment of a 'slight' gun shot wound to the head,and was released from hospital soon after. 

A few months later, on 6th September, John was again admitted to hospital sufferring from a gun shot wound to the head, followed by a transfer to another hospital on 11th September.  It is unclear from John's records as to whether the hospitalizations following the 1st admission in July were for a separate injury, or further treatments for the initial injury.  

On 21st February 1917, John was again admitted to hospital, this time suffering from 'confusional insanity'.  On 24th October 1917 he was repatriated to Australia for discharge from the AIF following a diagnosis of 'mania'.  John's discharge became official on 11th June 1918. 

John died in Newcastle in 1970.  His service is commemorated on the Thirroul Public School Honour Roll.