John Thomas Orchard was born in Donald, VIC and was a Labourer in Ballarat when he enlisted in the 21st Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement on 24 July 1915 at the age of 44. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A68 Anchises on 26 August 1915. On October 25th he joined the 21st Battalion at Gallipoli and served there for six weeks until he was evacuated to hospital at Mudros suffering from rheumatism. He was transferred to Heliopolis where in February 1916 pneumonia caused him to be admitted to hospital again. He left Suez in early March for return to Australia aboard the Argyllshire, and disembarked at Melbourne on May 7th 1916. He was discharged as æmedically unfit' soon after.
Tree No. 1779