McCOLL, John Archibald

Strangely enough, there were two John Archibald McColls, who both enlisted in 1915. Both were under twenty at the time. The first John Archibald McColl, 4260, was born in Kyneton and at the time of enlistment, was still living there, and working with his father as a butcher. He enlisted on 26 September, 1915, and was nineteen and two months old, 5'8" tall with brown hair and eyes and Presbyterian by religion. He had had six months with the Cadets, presumably at school and, after training, probably at Broadmeadows, he  was assigned to the 7th Battalion and embarked for the war on 19 December 1915 on H.M.A.T. Demosthenes A 64. They set down in Egypt, but the Gallipoli campaign was over and the main battles were on the Western Front. After further training in Egypt they left Alexandria for France on the C.C. troop ship Transylvania, landing at Etaples. Here, on 8 April, 1916, John McColl was sent to Base Depot and from there should have gone to the Front as a reinforcement to join the 7th Battalion. 

The day after he landed, however, he became ill with mumps  (9 April, 1916), and then on 2 May, was admitted to the 26th General Hospital with epilepsy. On 20 May, he re-joined his battalion from hospital. On 23 June, 1916, he was declared missing and on 28 August the Court of Enquiry declared him killed in action at Pozieres on the Somme, one month short of his twentieth birthday. 

The second John Archibald McColl , 12553, also enlisted in 1915, aged 18. He was of similar height, 5' *", with brown hair and blue eyes. Born in 1897, he was the son of Samuel McColl and his wife Frances Mary Ann, nee Lyon, and living with his parents at 393 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne. He was baptised at St. Peter's Eastern Hill. His previous military experience was with the Senior Cadets during his schooling. He had had four years training with them. 

He enlisted on 10 August, 1915, and was sent to Ascot Vale, then transferred to the A.M.C. Broadmeadows. On 20 February, 1916, the new recruits embarked for England, landing on 20 May. On 17 May, he was attached to the 23rd Howitzer Brigade as a Gunner.  

The Howitzer Brigades were formed in February 1916 as an addition to the Divisional Artillery at the Western Front. The previous 18 pounder field guns lacked the power to destroy well prepared defensive positions, such as German blockhouses and concrete dugouts. As a result, unitsd of 12 x 4.5 inch Howitzers were utilised. The Howitzer was a short barrelled that fired heavy shells. The shells were fired and went up in an arc, then landed directly into enemy positions, destroying them. Each Australian Division was equippped with 12 x 18 pounders. In March, 1916, this was extended so each Division had four 18 pounder field guns. 

However, supply chain problems in respect of the guns meant Howitzer units were broken up in early 1917, with the Howitzer crews dispersed and distributed among the Field Artillery Brigades of each Division. On 17 May, 1916, John McColl was placed as a Gunner with 23rd Howitzer Brigade aand was promoted to Corporal. On 25 January, 1917, with the 23rd Howitzer Brigade dispersed, Corporal McColl took on a new role in the army, serving with the 13th Field Ambulance, a position he stayed with until the end of the war in November, 1918.

In this role, he was given a commendation on 22 August 1918:

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while acting as leader of a squad of bearers  evacuating patients down the Bray-Corbie road, north-east of Corbie  at 10pm on 10/8/1918.

Pte. McColl's squad was evacuating from the 49th Aust. Infantry battalion,R.A.P. down the Bray-Corbie Road. He led his squad with great courage and devotion to duty, evacuating many patients along this heavily shelled (with H.E. and Gas Shells) route of evacuation. He continued this fien work all the night without rest.

On 21 May, 1918, he was sent to hospital with an un-named sickness, but stayed for only two days. On 29 June, he reverted to Private, but was again promoted to Coporal on 30 October, 1918. By now the Great War was nearly over, with the defeat of the Axis powers and peace declared on 11 November 1918. John McColl stayed on with the army in a clerical position, first in France, then on 15 April, 1919, returning to England. He returned to Australia on board the Swarkopmund which apparently took many nursing staff home. 

In 1921, John McColl was again in East Melbourne with his parents, and working as a clerk. On 8 February 1930, he married Gwendoline Muriel Morgan at St. Peter's Church, Eastern Hill. They lived for some years in Balaclava, where he was a Clerk, but by 1934, were at 485 Kooyong Rd. In the Second World War,  he re-enlisted for the Citizens' Military Force, serving from 1939-1948. Muriel died on 20 October, 1971 and was buried at the Necropolis, Springvale.