John Andrew Pett was born in Waterloo, VIC and was a Labourer living on Raglan Street, Ballarat, Victoria when he enlisted in the 57th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement on 14 February 1916 at the age of 22. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 4 April 1916. According to his records eh was wounded in action while on France on 19 July 1916 with a gunshot wound to the head. He recovered and re-joined his unit. On 6 December 1917 he was awarded 56 days forfeiture of pay for excusing himself without leave. He met Mary Gribben while overseas and the two were married on 27 September 1917. John was 23, Mary was 17 at the time. He returned to Australia 15 May 1919.

His brother, Pte Henry Francis Rubin Pett, 21st Bn, returned to Australia, 16 March 1918, also served (Tree No. 1846)
Tree No. 2125