Private John Carroll

Service number	1804
Birth Date	16/08/1891
Birth Place	Australia: Queensland, Brisbane
Death Date	04/10/1971
Final Rank	Private
Service	Australian Imperial Force
Unit	33rd Australian Infantry Battalion
Place	Brisbane
Conflict/Operation	First World War, 1914-1918

Description

Jack Carroll was born in Brisbane but grew up in Western Australia and worked around Kalgoorlie and nearby Karrawang. In 1916 he joined the AIF's 44th Battalion, but soon transferred to the 33rd. Messines was the battalion's first big action.

Over the period of 7-10 June, during the battle at St Yves (near Messines), Carroll was outstanding: he rushed an enemy trench and killed four Germans; assisted a soldier in distress and killed another German; attacked a machine-gun team, killing three men and capturing the gun; then extracted comrades buried in a shell hole while under heavy fire. His citation declared: "his magnificent example of gallantry and devotion to duty inspired all ranks in his battalion".

Carroll was a casual and happy-go-lucky man, known by his mates as "the wild Irishman". He was wounded a month later and again, severely this time, on 12 October 1917. Returned to Australia, he resumed work as a labourer and railwayman. In 1927 he had his foot amputated in a work accident.

Carroll was awarded the Victoria Cross, war service medals, and coronation medals for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.

Collection items

Rolls

Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

Unit

33rd Australian Infantry Battalion

Conflict

First World War, 1914-1918

Rank

Private
Honours and Awards:

Unit

33rd Australian Infantry Battalion

Conflict

First World War, 1914-1918

Rank

Private
Honours and Awards (Recommendation):

Unit

33rd Australian Infantry Battalion

Conflict

First World War, 1914-1918

Rank

Private
First World War Embarkation Roll:

Conflict

First World War, 1914-1918

Rank

Private

Timeline

Date of birth	16/08/1891
Other units	08/1916	33rd Battalion.
Date of embarkation	09/08/1916	Embarked for Britain with reinforcements for the 44th Battalion.
Date and unit at enlistment (ORs)	27/04/1916
Date wounded	07/1917
Date of honour or award	10/06/1917	Awarded Victoria Cross, for action at St Yves, Belgium (Battle of Messines Ridge) whilst serving with 33 Battalion, 9 Brigade, 3 Division as a Private
Date wounded	10/1917	Severely wounded in the second battle of Passchendaele.
Date returned to Australia	08/1918
Date of death	04/10/1971