John Bretnell Crump, an Inventor from Ballarat, enlisted in the Australian Flying Corps, November 1917 Reinforcement on 7 January 1918 at the age of 36. He was married to Mrs Eliza L Crump of 23 Loch Avenue, Ballarat, Victoria. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A71 Nestor on 28 February 1918. He attended School of Technical Engineering Training on 23 April 1918, School of Tactical Training on 29 June 1918 and was awarded the rank of 2nd Class Air Mechanic with the 7th Training Squadron Australian Flying Corps. He returned to Australia 6 May 1919.
Tree No. 3154