14 John AYRE. “Jack” – The Harrower Collection

35th BATTALION A.I.F.

Private: 14 John AYRE. "Jack"

Born: 1894. Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:32569/1894.

Died: 1st of June 1917. Died of Accidental Injuries at Ploegsteert Wood, Belgium.

Father: Henry Ayre. (1849-1917)

Mother: Florence E Ayre. nee:.

Step Mother: Sarah Ayre. nee. (1861-1948)

INFORMATIONJohn Ayre enlisted with A Company 35th Battalion AIF on the 9th of December 1915 and was an original member of the Battalion. He left Sydney on board HMAT A24 "Benalla" on the 1st of May 1916. John served with the 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery and died from accidental injuries on the 1st of June 1917 when an ammunition dump exploded at Ploegsteert Wood, Belgium.

7th August 1917.

Informant; Private: 107 Francis William Joseph HARVEY. A Company, No: 1 Platoon. 35th Battalion. Private: 14 John AYRE was in A Company No:3 Platoon. He came from N.S.W. I had known him for about 2 months 2 years and knew him well, and was a personnel friend. His christian name was Jack and his number was 14. I saw his grave between Regent Street and the Strand in PLOEGSTEERT WOOD. There was a cross with his name and battalion.

Australian Camp, ROUELLES.

15th August 1917

Informant; Private: 36 William McIntosh BROWN I was told by Lewis Gunner Private: 67 Cooper Taylor EYRE 35th AIF A Coy, No:1 Platoon, who is I think, wounded that he was with Private: 14 John AYRE when he was killed. He gave no details. Ayre's name was Jack and his No: 14.

No:11 Convalescent Camp, BUCHY, ROUEN.

29th August 1917.

Informant; Private: 67 Cooper Taylor EYRE, A Company No: 1 Platoon 35th Battalion. A.I.F. Private: 14 John AYRE was killed by an explosion in an ammunition dump, which was caused by a pin coming out when unloading shells. There were several of them killed and he was among st the number. I I did not see the casualty, but I saw his grave at Pount-de-Nippe, and it was marked by a cross bearing his number, name, and unit. 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartfrord, England.

1st September 1917.

Informant; Private: 210 Frederick John STAPLETON, A Company 35th Battalion. I saw Private: 14 John AYRE's body in the graveyard, waiting to be buried and later saw his grave. It had a cross erected over it bearing his name, number and battalion. The cemetery is at PLUG-St-WOOD, near ARMENTIERES, and easily traceable. We came over together on the "Benalla" and knew each other quite well.

No:3 Command Depot, EURDCOTT, England.

3rd September 1917.

Informant; Corporal: 244 Richard WILLIAMS A Company No:4 Platoon, Private: 14 John AYRE of the 9th Brigade, Light Trench Mortar Battery, was killed at Hill 163 and buried in ARMENTIERES Cemetery. He had originally been in the 35th Battalion, A Company and I think the No:2 Platoon.

Australian Camp, ROUELLES.

4th October 1917.

Informant; Corporal: 1647 Ernest Albert FRASER, 9th Light Trench Mortar Battery. I saw Private: 14 John AYRE killed at PLOEGSTEERT WOOD by an explosion, death was instantaneous. He was buried at the rear of PLOEGSTEERT WOOD. I did not see his grave. I knew him well, he was attached to the 9th L.T.M. Battery.

3rd Australian Auxillary Hospital, DARTFORD, England.

STRAND MILITARY WAR CEMETERYJohn is remembered with honour and is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and is buried at the Strand Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Belgium.

Family InformationJohn was a single 22 year old Railway Shunter from 20 Johns Street, Tighes Hill, New South Wales prior to enlistment.