John Francis Treanor MM (1899 - 1966)

Born 13 Jun 1899 in Adavale, Queensland, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Alice Hannah (Wilkins) Treanor — married 4 Sep 1916 (to 1961) in Burwood, New South Wales, Australia

Husband of Eileen Margaret (Doyle) Treanor — married 1965 in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia

Descendants

Died 10 May 1966 at age 66 in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Darrin Treanor [send private message]

Biography

John Francis Treanor was born in Adavale, Queensland on 13 June 1899. He was the third child of John Treanor Treanor and Catherine Doran. He is the great grandson of Charles and Margaret Treanor, Bathurst’s Pioneer Educators.

He was educated at the Christian Brother's College on Waverley. ^[1]

It was on 12 April 1916 that John’s mother Catherine signs a letter giving her consent for John to enlist with the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF). As he was only 17 years, and being under the age of 21 years, he was required to have her permission to join. He then tries to enlist on 26 April 1916 but is rejected.

He marries 16-year-old Alice Wilkins on 9 September 1916 at the age of 17 years old. A daughter, Frances, was born the following year, Charles in 1920, John in 1921 and Ross in 1923. At the time of his marriage, he was a Clerk in Sydney.

WORLD WAR ONE

He attempts a second time to enlist with the AIF and is accepted on 22 September 1916. John would enter basic training joining the 28th Battalion on 3 January 2017 before embarking for England on 29 January 1917. ^{[2] [3]}

For many of the major battles of 1917 the 28th Battalion found itself in supporting roles. At the second battle of Bullecourt, the 28th provided reinforcements who were nonetheless involved in heavy fighting. The 28th went on to attack as part of the third phase at the battle of Menin Road, capturing its objectives in seven minutes, and was in reserve during the capture of Broodseinde Ridge.

John is wounded in action on 29 September 1917 sustaining shrapnel wounds to his right arm. ^{[4] [5] [6]} He is repatriated to England to recover before re-joining his unit on 7 February 1918. In April 1918, the 28th fought to turn back the German spring offensive and, from 8 August participated in the joint British and French offensive that marked the beginning of Germany's defeat. The Battalion was prominent in the fighting to secure crossing points over the Somme River around Peronne, and in the advance beyond Mont St Quentin. John is awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous Bravery in the field on 12 July 1918 as a Platoon Runner at the 'hopover". ^{[7] [8]}

At home John’s wife Alice receives the news by telegram and writes to the Army:-

Dear Sir, On hearing my Husband 6560 Pte J. F. Treanor has been awarded the Military Medal, I was wondering if you could tell me what he done to gain it, he told me he was awarded it 3 or 4 months ago. I have been told that ir is sent from you, as I haven’t heard I was wondering that with all you have to do if it has been shipped, it was against his name when I got word to say he was wounded. Thanking you. I am etc Mrs A. Treanor. ^[9]

In reply to her letter the Army provide this response:-

Dear Madam, I have much pleasure in forwarding hereunder a copy of the extract from Fourth Supplement, No. 30962, to the London Gazette, dated 21st October, 1918, relating to the conspicuous services rendered by the undermentioned member of the Australian Imperial Force.

AWARDED THE MILITARY MEDAL

HIS MAJESTY THE KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Military Medal for bravery in the field to the undermentioned:-

No. 6560 Private J. F. TREANOR

The above has been promulgated in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, No. 23, dated 12th February, 1919. ^[10]

The 28th's last actions of the war were fought as part of the effort to break through the Beaurevoir Line in the first week of October 1918. The first members of the battalion began returning to Australia in January, and the 28th was disbanded in March 1919. ^[11]

John would recount his wartime experience in a letter to the Repatriation Department in 1953:-

Prior to my first embarkation I contracted Cerebro-spinal meningitis in Liverpool Camp NSW and was put off the Troop ship at Fremantle WA and admitted to West Subiaco Hospital suffering from Cerebro-spinal- meningitis which disease I believe has a very adverse effect on both the brain and the nervous system.

I later joined a reinforcement of the 28th Battalion. And after serving in the Ypres salient received my first wound on the 20th Sept. 1917 under very heavy shell fire. I was back with the Battalion when practically the whole of B Company was wiped out by an arterial bomb at La Houssi switch and the job of collecting the remains of and burying several of my best pals did not improve the nerves any.

I was later awarded the MM for conspicuous bravery south of Morlancourt under a very heavy enemy barrage, as is stated in the wording of my recommend which I have a copy. At that time I was still under 19 years of age.

My nerves started to go when I was in charge of a Machine Gun section in the latter half of 1918 and when I received my second wound on the 2nd Sep. 1918. I lay for several hours under heavy enemy shell fire waiting to be picked up by stretcher bearers wondering whether I would be picked up or blown up first.

I have been under shell fire on and off for many months almost continuous from April to September, Villers Bretonneux to Mt. St. Quentin.

I contend that much of my present Nervous Condition dates back to those days in France.

On my return to Australia, like many other lads about my own age, I had one thing in mind, to get out of the Army and get started in Civilian life but my nerves were in a pretty poor state and I treated myself with Clements Tonic, Fishers Phosphorene, and various tonics and Tablets over the intervening years. My nerves have been bad on and off since 1918 and I have been gassed during the War.^[12]

In recognition of his service, John was awarded the Military Medal, the British War Medal (#55632) and the Victory Medal (#54086). ^[13]

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY

It was the 4th August, 1922 that John enlisted to serve with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). He began his service as an Electrician rising through the ranks to Chief Petty Officer. On 30th January 1937 John is posted to HMAS Cerebus in Victoria. His marriage to Alice appears to have failed as she remains in Sydney with the children. After serving for 17 years John retired from the RAN on 8th August 1939. ^[14]

By 1939 John has met and begun a relationship with Margaret Doyle, welcoming a daughter Jane in October 1941.

WORLD WAR TWO

At the age of 42 John again enlists for service with the Volunteer Defence Corp on 25th May 1941 in Williamstown in Victoria. He is appointed to the commissioned rank of Lieutenant serving throughout the War until 31st October 1945. ^[15]

In recognition of his service, John was awarded the Australian Service Medal 1939-1945. ^[16]

After the War John would continue working as a Foreman Electrician. In 1961 legal action was commenced and the divorce of John and his wife Alice was finalised. He would go on to marry Margaret in 1965. Sadly, John passed away at the Repatriation General Hospital (Heidelberg) in May 1966 aged 66 years. ^[17]

John is remembered at the Burwood War Memorial Arch which is described as a classical sandstone structure, located at the entrance to Burwood Park. The arch features eight granite honour rolls, inscribed with the names of those who served in the First World War. Their names are also highlighted in gold.

The foundation stone was laid on 11 November 1922 and the finished arch was officially unveiled on Anzac Day, 25 April 1923.

On 11 August 1990, the arch was rededicated as a war memorial to all Australians who have served. At the same time, the nearby Michael Tognolini Peace Garden was also dedicated. Directly behind the arch is The Bugler of Burwood statue. The Burwood Sandakan Memorial is also located within the park.

INSCRIPTION

Top of arch - front and back Thanks be unto God who gave us the victory

Left side of arch 1914–1919

Foundation stone Erected by the citizens of Burwood in grateful memory of those who served in the Great War 1914–1918. This stone was laid by the Mayor Ald. J. H. Whipp on 11th November 1922.

Unveiling tablet: This memorial was unveiled by His Excellency Lord Forster Governor General of Australia on Anzac Day 25th April 1923. G. S. Blair. Mayor. ^[18]

Sources

1. ↑ Source: All About People: Tittle Tattle. (1918). Catholic Press (Sydney, NSW: 1895 - 1942), Thursday 21 November 1918, page 22. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105963646 added by Darrin Treanor.
2. ↑ Source: WW1 Service Records. (1916). Treanor Family Archive, BDHS. added by Darrin Treanor.
3. ↑ Source: Answer the Call. (19160. Evening News (Sydney, NSW: 1869 - 1931), Saturday 24 June 1916, page 6. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120368265 added by Darrin Treanor.
4. ↑ Source: Wounded. (1917). Sun (Sydney, NSW: 1910 - 1954), Thursday 18 October 1917, page 5. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221404035 added by Darrin Treanor.
5. ↑ Source: Australian Casualties. (1917). Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 1842 - 1954), Thursday 25 October 1917, page 8. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15754165 added by Darrin Treanor.
6. ↑ Source: Casualty List. (1917). Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW: 1883 - 1930), Thursday 25 October 1917, page 7. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article239245096 added by Darrin Treanor.
7. ↑ Source: World War 1 Service Records. (1918). Treanor Family Archive, BDHS. added by Darrin Treanor.
8. ↑ Source: All About People: Tittle Tattle. (1918). Catholic Press (Sydney, NSW: 1895 - 1942), Thursday 21 November 1918, page 22. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105963646 added by Darrin Treanor.
9. ↑ Source: World War 1 Service Records. (1918). Treanor Family Archive, BDHS. added by Darrin Treanor.
10. ↑ Source: World War 1 Service Records. (1919). Treanor Family Archive, BDHS. added by Darrin Treanor.
11. ↑ Source: 28th Australian Infantry Battalion. (2023). Australian War Memorial. 28th Australian Infantry Battalion | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au) added by Darrin Treanor.
12. ↑ Source: Repatriation File. (1953). National Archives Australia added by Darrin Treanor.
13. ↑ Source: Treanor, J.F. (1917). Service Records. National Archives of Australia. Treanor Family Archive, BDHS added by Darrin Treanor.
14. ↑ Source: Royal Australian Navy Service Records (1922). National Archives Australia. added by Darrin Treanor.
15. ↑ Source: Volunteer Defence Corp. (1941). Treanor Family Archive, BDHS. added by Darrin Treanor.
16. ↑ Source: Ferris, R. )2024). Personal Recollection of events as told to Darrin Treanor. https://www.pmc.gov.au/honours-and-symbols/list-australian-honours/australian-service-medal-1939-1945
17. ↑ Source: Death Certificate No. 8990 / 1966. (1966). Victoria Births, Deaths & Marriages. added by Darrin Treanor.
18. ↑ Source: Burwood War Memorial Arch. (2023). NSW War Memorials Register. https://www.warmemorialsregister.nsw.gov.au/memorials/burwood-war-memorial-arch added by Darrin Treanor.