John æJack' Guthrie Wanliss was born in South Yarra, Victoria, was single and a farm hand when he enlisted with the 5th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement on 1 April 1915 at the age of 19. He received a promotion to Corporal on 2 July and proceeded overseas with his unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board SS Makarini on 15 September 19. On 16 August 1916, whilst serving in the fields of Etaples, France, he was wounded in action. He was admitted to the 26th General Hospital for shell shock until he was seen fit enough to re-join his unit on 6 October 1916. In January 1917 he was admitted to hospital for æblistered feet'. However, this issue was later diagnosed as furnuncolosis (severe boils) and cellulitis of the feet. This condition would prove chronic, but it would be synovitis of the right knee which would lead to his return to Australia for change and medical discharge on 12 may 1918.
Tree No. 1889