John William McDougall (SN 3338) born at Stawell, was a 37 year old labourer residing in Ballarat when he enlisted at Colac on July 14th 1915. He sailed from Melbourne on the Commonwealth in November as a reinforcement for the 24th Infantry Battalion. Despite him answering his country’s call, once in Egypt it became apparent that some mental health issues made it very difficult for him to adapt to a life of military regimentation and it was determined that he should be returned to Australia. After brief attachments to the 60th and 8th Battalions he sailed from Suez in early September 1916, reached Melbourne a month later and was discharged on December 13th 1916.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Jack McDougall

One of a number of soldiers with multiple entries in the original register, he is also recognised at Tree 1777.