Following an email an Australian researcher, I had another look for this man. I found the service records for John and his two brothers William and James.
Both John and his brother William Young Steele emigrated to Australia, though not at the same time.
They both enlisted in Liverpool, New South Wales.
John the eldest of three brothers was a farm hand. He enlisted first in January 1915 age 25 years and 6 months. He was 5ft 9 1/2in tall. He served in Gallipol and Egypt and France where on 23 July 1916 he received with gunshot wounds to left arm, right knee, right cheek. Transferred to Reading War Hospital in England on the 26th July where his left arm was amputated. He died there on the 31 July.
All three boys were taller than average at 5' 8" or 5' 9". Many of the lads I've research were 5"2 or 3.
William was an ironmonger who had served his apprenticeship with William Hunter. He enlisted in April 1915 at the age of 24 years 1 month. Regimental number 1576. He was hospitalised with dysentry. He was promoted to sergeant by the end of the war and seems to have been a regular soldier after the war in Australia.
James the youngest stayed behind in Scotland and enlisted in the 7th Btn. Royal Scots Fusiliers at the age of 20 in August 1918. He was a labourer, unmarried. 103891 He was transferred to the Royal FieldArtillery and in 1919 he re-enlisted for a further year.
Original post:
John Steel had been a member of the congregation of the established church before he left for Australia.
He was born on 12th July 1889 in Brewland Street, Galston to Robert Steel, master saddler and Jessie Young. They had moved to Cumnock by the 1901 census. His father was then a van man and they lived at Townhead.
John is still in Cumnock in 1911 census but enlisted in 1915 in Australia.
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| Cumnock Chronicle |
He died in Reading on 31 July 1916 and was buried in Cumnock new cemetery. No further information is on the gravestone (war grave).
CWGC
Cumnock Connections tree
Australian site
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