John Brown CAMERON

John Brown (Jack) Cameron, Service No. 250, was born in Albury, NSW in 1887 and was the son of Duncan & Elizabeth (nee McLure) Cameron. When he enlisted in January 1916 he was aged 23 years and three months, single and employed as a bank accountant at the Bank of Victoria in Broadford. He named his father who lived in Corowa, NSW, as his next of kin.

Following a period of training at Seymour Camp John embarked for overseas duty in June 1916 attached to the Australian Ordnance Corps. While in England he was promoted to Lance Corporal. He marched into France in November 1916. Ordnance Corps provide all supplies to army units. They manage supply, administration, repairs and storage as well as demolition and disposal of explosives, including the salvage of battle-damaged equipment.

In February of 1918 Jack was promoted to Warrant Officer Class 1 and in May to Conductor, Warrant Officer Class 1. It was for his actions in this period he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. “For meritorious service during the period 25^th February to September 17^th, 1918 – Warrant Officer CAMERON has during this period controlled the Artillery section of the Ordnance Department of the period with great efficiency. During the recent operations from HAMEL through BRAY to ROISEL, this Warrant Officer has displayed great devotion to duty and has successfully coped with the increased work required by the continuous operations undertaken by the Artillery, consistently rendering all possible assistance to that arm”. This notice was published in Supplement No. 31132 to the London Gazette dated 17^th January 1919.

John returned to Australia in August 1919. He was awarded the British War Medal, the 1914/15 Star and the Victory Medal as well as the Meritorious Service Medal. Post war John returned to work at the Bank of Victoria in Broadford. He married Ida Winifred Kelley in 1922. He died at Prahran in 1952. He is commemorated on the Kilmore Honour Roll.

Compiled by Kilmore Historical Society.