Joseph Gummow was born in Ballarat and was a Moulder by trade when he enlisted in the 39th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement on 14 February 1916 at the age of 21. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Orontes on 16 August 1916. He was only in France for two months before being withdrawn to hospital in England suffering from pneumonia. In September 1917 he rejoined his battalion in France. During the fighting at Amiens on August 10th 1918, he was wounded in action, gassed. This led to ongoing health problems, and in February 1919, while awaiting his return to Australia, he was admitted to hospital suffering from severe bronchial pneumonia. Once fit to travel, he returned on the Runic and disembarked at Melbourne on June 10th 1919.
Tree No 2118