LOUGHNAN, John

removed by Ambulance train to Hosiptal in John Loughnan was born in rural Victoria at Charlton on 4 August, 1889 to his father John and mother Margaret Loughnan (nee Curran). He attended Xavier College from 1901-1902, where he developed his passion and skills for football. He spent school holidays at the family property in the Riverina, playing football for the Hay Football Club. By 1909 his parents had moved to East Melbourne living at 77 Gipps Street. His father's occupation was listed as constable in the electoral rolls that year. After leaving school, young John pursued a career as a civil servant and in 1909 he became involved as a player at the Carlton Football Club. (more on his football career in the attached link from the 'Blueseum' website.

Aged 21, John's stature was impressive standing 6 ft tall with a weight of 15 stone. From teenage years he had spent much time training with the Australian militia, including 2.5 years with the Field Artillery and 1.5 years with the 58th Infantry Battalion.

 Aged 26 he enlisted on 17 July, 1915 and appointed as Lieutenant with the 6th Infantry Battalion. He embarked on 10 September 1915 on the 'Star o Victoria" arriving in Suez aonth later on 11 October. His service record has litle information regarding his first year of service in the Middle East. In Noember 1916 he was despatched from the 6th Battalion to join the D.A.A.G unit in Alexandria. On Febraury 17, 1916 he as taken on strength to the 58th Batallion. at Serapeum. On 17 June, 1916 he embarked from Alexandria with the B.E.F for France on the H7 Transylvannia, arriving Marseilles on 28th June.

Within 3 weeks of arriving st the Western Front John took part in the AIF's first offensive, the Battle of Fromelles where causalties were in horriic numbers. On 21 July, whilst leading his troops. John was wounded in action with a gunshot wound in the buttock and scrotum. He was transferred to the C.C.S, then moved by Ambulane train to hospital in Boulogne. He was evacuated to England to 3rd London General Hospital in Wandsworth reamining here until early Spetember, when he was discharged to the Welwyn Hospital in Hertfordshire. On 19 September he was promoted to Captian and transferredto the Com Depot at Perham Downs where he was placed on the supernumerary list and remained until his return to France end June 1917. He rejoined his unti in Oober 1917, was seconded for a month to the Army School of Instruction, took oth's furlough in the UK, returning again to unit early January, 1918.

On 12 August 1918 he was recommended an mentioned for his brave leadership and courage during operations at Bayonvillers on the 8th  & 9th August. His citation reads as follows:"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operationsns at Bayovillers and East of Harbonnieres on 8th and 9 Aug 1918. Cpt Loughnan was in command of a company allotted to task of mopping up Bayonvillers. He disposed his company with great tactical skill and was instrumental in capture 2 officers and 154 other ranks, also two 8 inch Howitzers with attached tractors by the swiftness of  advance. On 9th inst. he fought his Company with dash and determination East of Habonnieres, capturing 3 strong points containing 15 machine guns the crews of which were killed. Later he formed a defensive flank with great skill to the 8th Battalion which had lost direction in the advance, and continued to fight his company towards the second objective, capturing a battery of heavy minenwerfers in his advance. He consolidated and held the line until relieved by another Battalion. His work during both days was of the highest order, and he set a high standard of courage and leadership to his officers and men."

John took furlough in England for a month after Armistice. On his return to France at the end of November, he broke leg and returned to UK for convelescence. On 3rd December he was awarded  the Military Cross for exemplary service in France.

During 1917 John married Beatrice Agnes Dare from Christchurch, Hampshire. A daughter Mary was born in 1919. The family returned to Australia in January 1920 when a son John was born. In 1926 another son Keith was born. After arriving home John managed the family farm at Charlton. In 1936 he moved to Albert Park, then Elsternwick in 1942. In 1939 when World War 2 commenced, although nearly 50 years old, he volunteered his services, spending a year at an Engineering Training Depot until his health required him to retire. He died on November 19, 1949.