POLLOCK, John and William

John and William were the sons of William Pollock and his wife Sophia who lived on their property Sunnyside at Dinton Vale north of Inverell. William Jnr. was an eighteen year old Labourer when he enlisted in December 1915 and agreed to serve from 12 January 1916.  He joined the First Contingent of The Kurrajongs who, on that day, left Inverell together for the Narrabri and Armidale camps.

William became a member of the 33rd Battalion, D Company, which sailed from Australia on HMAT A74 Marathon on 4 May 1916.  After nine weeks at sea, they arrived in England where further training was undertaken before they were sent to France in November.  Shortly afterwards he was appointed as a Driver. William’s service records do not indicate he was wounded during the war, however in 1918 he was ill with influenza which affected so many people that year.  He returned to Australia in May 1919.

John enlisted at Armidale in May 1916 when he was a twenty one year old Farmer at Dinton Vale.  He had been a member of the Dinton Vale Rifle Club. A month before his departure from Australia he was given a 'send-off' at Dinton Vale and presented with an inscribed gold medal.

John sailed from Australia for Egypt on HMAT A13 Katuna arriving at Suez in January 1917. He was appointed Farrier and served with the 1st Light Horse Regiment. John returned home in March 1919.

John and William are both remembered at Inverell where their names are inscribed on the town’s Honor Roll.

Photo: John Pollock (centre)  provided by family