John William Fitzsimmons (SN 1006) born in Ballarat, was a 24 year old farmer when he enlisted in Melbourne on July 27th 1915. On September 27th he embarked for overseas service aboard the Hororata. Serving with the 13th Light Horse Regiment in France he was wounded in action in March 1917, suffering shrapnel wounds to his face and knee. He was evacuated to hospital but was able to rejoin his unit six weeks later. In August 1917 he was transferred to the 8th Infantry Battalion, and in his first action with his new unit he earned a Military Medal, his citation reading ‘During the attack North of ROSIERES on the 9th August 1918 Private FITZSIMMONS acted as a stretcher bearer throughout the operation. He did exceptionally fine work dressing and carrying back wounded during the fight. When two of the advanced scouts were shot down and the line temporarily held up by heavy machine gun fire, FITZSIMMONS went forward dressed the wounded scouts where they lay under the heavy fire of the enemy and then carried them back in turn to a place of comparative safety. His work throughout was marked by the greatest courage and devotion to duty and was the means of saving many lives.' After the war he returned aboard the Suffolk, disembarked at Melbourne on June 5th 1919 and was discharged shortly after.