SHEARSTON, Jack Swales

Jack, a son of James and Alice Shearston, enlisted at Marrackville NSW in May 1916. He was a nineteen-year-old draughtsman and had his parents’ permission to serve during the war.

Jack became a member of the Field Artillery Brigade 11, Reinforcement 5, was appointed Driver and sailed from Australia for England on HMAT A47 Mashobra in September 1916. He was transferred to the 3rd Division and sent to France in December. Nine months later he was wounded in action and after treatment returned to his unit. In April 1918 he transferred to the Australian Flying Corps and began training as a flying officer at the Oxford School of Aeronautics. He graduated in November, was appointed 2nd Lieutenant AFC, and sent to France.

Jack returned to Australia in June 1919 and his appointment was terminated. He was one of three volunteers given a ‘Welcome Home’ at Ashford in August 1919. In 1939 he was granted temporary rank as Flying Officer. After World War II he obtained a Soldiers Settlers block on the property ‘Oregon’. Jack died in 1986 and was buried with his wife at Inverell.