Samuel John Stoneman was born in Ross Creek, Victoria, was single and a Farm Hand living in Ballarat when he enlisted with the 24th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement on 3 September 1915 at the age of 21. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A19 Afric on 5 January 1916. He was admitted to hospital suffering from myalgia in January 1917 and was transferred to the Divisional Rest Station in France until his discharge to duty on 7 February 1917. On 23 August 1918 he suffered exposure due to a mustard gas attack and was admitted to Hospital. The remainder of his time aboard he would be transferred to a series of hospitals, including the 12th United States General in France and eventually to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital in Dartford where he was granted furlough. He left England for Australia aboard the Hospital Transport ship Ceramic, reaching Melbourne on 23 March 1919.
Tree No. 1909