Private: 3388 John Stuart DYCE.

by

56th-36th BATTALION AIF

Private: 3388 John Stuart DYCE.

Born: 1891 Junee, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:47/1891. V1189161154.

Died: 17th of October 1917. Killed in Action. Passchendaele.

Father: Clarence George Dyce. (1861-30.04.1931) Died at Campbelltown, N.S.W.

Mother: Margaret Jane Dyce. nee: McCrea. (1862-17.09.1919) Died at Campbelltown, N.S.W.

INFORMATION

No.3388 John Stewart DYCE was one of two brothers to serve in the AIF. He was a 25 year old farmer from Yathella in NSW when he enlisted on the 13th of November 1916.

He embarked from Australia with the 9th Reinforcements to the 56th Battalion on board the HMAT (A68) 'Anchises' on the 24th of January 1917 and arrived at Devonport in England on the 27th of March. On arrival he marched in to the 14th Training Battalion in Wiltshire.

On the 28th of April 1917 he was transferred to, and taken-on-strength by, the 63rd Battalion at 'Windmill Hill' at Hurdcott, in Wiltshire.

On the 23rd of August 1917 he proceeded from England across to France and marched in to the 3rd Division Base Depot. On the 31st of August he marched out to the front and was taken-on-strength by the 36th BATTALION (Carmichael's Thousand) on the 1st of September 1917 and posted into "C" Company.

He was with the Battalion for the unsuccessful 9th Brigade attack on 'Passchendaele' on the 12th of October, when they were forced to withdraw from the BLUE LINE objective. The 9th Brigade ended up in positions only just in front of their initial start line.

On the 17th of October 1917, in the front-line opposite 'Passchendaele', in the vicinity of 'Augustus Wood', he was reportedly KILLED-IN-ACTION by enemy shelling. Although buried his grave was either not found or not identified by the Graves Services Unit.

As he has no known grave his name is inscribed among the missing on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

(Bill Durant; 2017)

Menin Gate war Memorial

Family Information

John was a single 25 year old farmer from Yathella, NSW upon enlistment. His father Clarence was a School Teacher at the Appin Public School.

John Stuart Dyce was my Great Uncle on my father’s side. My Grandmother was Violet Emily Maud Dyce. I am in possession of J.S.Dyce’s unworn medal, still in the envelope as delivered to his father in Appin, C.G. Dyce.

John Dyce's War and Victory Medals. They ended up in my father's possession but he died in 1979

Timothy Sparkes. June 2022.

Military Records

© Commonwealth of Australia (National Archives of Australia)

Under Construction; 01/01/2018-10/06/2022.

 

4 thoughts on “Private: 3388 John Stuart DYCE.”

  1. John Stuart Dyce was my Great Uncle on my father’s side. My Grandmother was Violet Emily Maud Dyce.

    I am in possession of J.S.Dyce’s unworn medal, still in the envelope as delivered to his father in Appin, C.G. Dyce

    Reply

    • Hi Timothy. Great family heirloom, glad it is still in the family, so many in my collection were sold of throw out many years ago. Is it possible to get a photo of his medal so I can add to his profile. I will add you as the contributor and relationship to John.
      Regards
      David Harrower ACM

      Reply

Leave a comment