John Francis Gingell was born in Ballarat and was a Bagmaker by trade when he enlisted in the 14th Battalion, 12th Reinforcement on 17 July 1915 at the age of 20. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 23 November 1915. In March 1916 he was transferred to the 46th Battalion with whom he moved to France. In July 1916 he was admitted to the 22nd General Hospital at Camiers, France, suffering from influenza. A month later his service record was blemished when he was charged with æbeing improperly dressed on parade ie. without puttees' for which he forfeited one day's pay. He was sent back to England in November 1916 suffering from myalgia, then admitted to the 1st Southern General Hospital suffering from severe rheumatism. He was then assessed as unfit for further active service, and returned to Australia on the Anchises. On March 4th 1918 he was discharged as æmedically unfit – rheumatism, loss of voice'.
Tree No 1182