Pte
John Akers
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 29/10/1884 |
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Place of birth: Cunnamulla, Queensland, Australia |
General information
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Profession: Farmer |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 3105 |
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Enlistment date: 20.11.1916 |
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Enlistment place: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 52nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 26/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Albania, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 32 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: 29/P |
Distinctions and medals 3
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1914-15 Star Medal |
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Private John Akers ( 52nd Bn., 13rd Australian Brigade, 4th Australian Division ) was killed in action on the 26th of September 1917, the day that marks the beginning of the Battle of Polygon Wood.
The divisions of the Anzac Corps that were located southwest of the centre of Zonnebeke were the 4th and 5th Australian Divisions. The jumping off line was J.3.a.5.9. – J.9.b.5.7 – J.9.d.0.4.. The 5th Australian Division was positioned on the right and they were assigned to take over Polygon Wood. The 4th Australian Division was positioned on the left and attacked with the 4th and 13th Australian Brigades, respectively located on the right and the left in between the divisional borders. The main goal of the 13th Brigade was to seize Brick Yard ( D.28.a.0.0. )
Both divisions were successful in obtaining the two objectives ; the Red Line and the Blue Line ; and consolidating those lines.
Due to some inaccurate information concerning the division and brigade to which the 52nd battalion belonged, it’s difficult to determine were private Akers exactly fell on the 26st of September. Nonetheless, we presume that he fell between Albania Farm and Brick Yard. He is remembered at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.
The divisions of the Anzac Corps that were located southwest of the centre of Zonnebeke were the 4th and 5th Australian Divisions. The jumping off line was J.3.a.5.9. – J.9.b.5.7 – J.9.d.0.4.. The 5th Australian Division was positioned on the right and they were assigned to take over Polygon Wood. The 4th Australian Division was positioned on the left and attacked with the 4th and 13th Australian Brigades, respectively located on the right and the left in between the divisional borders. The main goal of the 13th Brigade was to seize Brick Yard ( D.28.a.0.0. )
Both divisions were successful in obtaining the two objectives ; the Red Line and the Blue Line ; and consolidating those lines.
Due to some inaccurate information concerning the division and brigade to which the 52nd battalion belonged, it’s difficult to determine were private Akers exactly fell on the 26st of September. Nonetheless, we presume that he fell between Albania Farm and Brick Yard. He is remembered at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres.
Sources 3
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52nd Australian Infantry, (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/69/18). https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1338583 Further reference |
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First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 (National Archives of Australia, Canberra (NAA), B2455, AKERS J). https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/SearchScreens/NameSearch.aspx Sources used |
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McCarthy C., The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account , (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg. 85, 87-89. Sources used |
More information 4
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1597330 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=7f034f30-4e4b-4168-b6a8-9e224a85ae9d |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7339878 |
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The AIF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=1933 |