Private John Robert Francis Gregan 1783

Photograph of the tree planted on the Avenue of Honour, Ballarat, Victoria, in recognition of the service of 1783 Private John Robert Francis Gregan, 2nd Pioneer Battalion. This photograph is from a series of 22 images taken by Trent Parke titled WW1 Avenue of Honour.

Artist's original caption: Private John Robert Francis Gregan 1783
2nd Australians Pioneers Battalion A.I.F.
Enlisted: Aged: 17 years and 4 months: 23rd March 1916 (Died of Wounds 5.10.18 France)

07/4/16 Embarked
05/10/18 Wounded in Action, France - Admitted
05/10/18 Died of Gun Shot Wounds to chest received in Action.
Buried, Tincourt New British Cemetery Vi. H. 25, Somme, France.
“Dear Sir, I am in receipt of yours of 31/12/18 Per Mr. Mc Grath relating to my Sons Death on active service on 5/10/18 also stating when he enlisted and who he gave next of kin, which is not correct in any way his Proper name should be John Robert Francis Gregan and not Regan as in the records he was born at Evansford Victoria on October 31 1898 and therefore was not of age to enlist without a Parents consent. I will enclose some of his many letters to me which convince you of his Identity please. Let me know if anyone is drawing his Allotments.
Yours Faithfully, Thomas Gregan”
Excerpt from letter by Thomas Gregan to Officer in charge. Base Records, dated 7/1/19/ National Archives of Australia