John Henry (Jack) Tracey was the third son of the eleven children of Patrick Edward and Charlotte Tracey. Sergeant-Major Patrick Tracey was a member of the permanent staff of the Victorian Rifle Association. In his early days he had been a keep participant in the various shooting competitons held by the Association, but later he becae an instructor assisting in the training of cadets. In early 1914 he had been sent 'home' to Ireland for training purposes and when war was declared he voluntered and was attached to the 6th Connaught Rangers. He fought in the battles of the Marne and the Aisne and was in France for four month before returnng ot Australia in May 1915 to resume training of new recruits. His unit in Australia was B Company, 2nd Battalion, 1 Brigade. Three of his sons, including John Henry, followed in his footseteps and enlisted. The other two were George and Edward Albert.
He was born in 1888 in Bendigo. About 1892 the family moved to East Melbourne where three of his siblings were born. John joined the Royal Australian Artillery in 1906, and was transferred to Thursday Island in 1908, where he remained for three years. He was then transferred to Brisbane, where he was still serving in the RAA when he enlisted on 20 August 1914, just a week after the declaration of war. By this time he was a widower with an infant son in the care of his mother-in-law, Annie Bradshaw. He was 5ft 10.5ins, with a fair complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. He was appointed to the Mahine Gun Section, 9th Infantry Battalion, at Ennogera, Queensland, as a Private. He was promoted to Lance-Corporal on 31 August 1914, and Corporal on 20 Septeber 1914. He was transferred to D Company, Machine Gun Section on 1 January 1915.
He embarked at Brisbane on HMAT Omrah on 24 September 1914. He was wounded in the arm at Galipoli on 25 Aprl 1915 and was hospitalized in Cairo. He rejoined his unit on 17 June 1915. He was wounded a second time almost exactly a month later, on 16 July 1915. This time the wound was a gunshot wound to the back and classed as severe. He was taken to hospital initially in Malta, but transferred to England on 9 September 1915. He sailed from England for return to Australia on 7 November 1915, and disembarked in Melbourne on 21 December 1915. His final medical report in Brisbane on 5 January 1916 read:
'[History]: 'Struck about level of 1st L.V. on right side by shrapnel - not recovered - also struck in calf of right leg by rifle bullet and later was buried and was unconscious for 5 hours.' [Present Condition]: 'Wounds healed - Suffering from Syphilis.'
He was discharged on account of having syphilis 16 Marach 1916.
On 14 September 1921 John wrote a detailed letter to Base Records, Melbourne complaining that he had not been able to get a War Medal which he felt was due to him:
'Sir, I called at Victoria Barracks Brisbane today for a War Medal (I have already received the Star) & was informed that as I was sent home from England as VD I was not entitled to it. I would like to explain that I was invalided from England in "C" class. I had been to Gallipoli where I had been wounded in the leg, also buried through a dugout falling in & finally a shrapnel wound in the back for which I had to undergo two operations last September to have the shrapnel removed. I would also point out that I was on all medical inspections between England & Freemantle as Capt. Tiddy can inform you which proves that I was not suffering from VD on the way out. It was owing to not being allowed off the boart at Freemantle & a concert party coming aboard & from one of the females of which I contracted VD. I consider that as I was sent from England to Australia to be discharged I am entitled to all Medals. Trusting you will give this your favourable consideration. I remain yours faithfully J.H. Tracey, No. 55 Sgt 9th Batt, AIF.'
He did eventually receive his War Medal and Victory Medal.