Flanagan, John Joseph
No.708 – Private John Flanagan – 44th Battalion AIF
John Joseph Flanagan was born in Newcastle NSW in 1885. Not much is known of his early life but he worked as a cook, both on land and at sea on ships. In 1906 he married Ethel Holzberger in Fremantle and they resided at 33 Alexander Road Fremantle. They would have two children from the marriage, Minne born in 1906 and James in 1915.
On the 24th January 1916 John went to the Perth Drill Hall to enlist in the AIF. He was passed as fit with the medical officer finding him to be 5 feet 3 inches in height; weight of 128 lbs; chest measurement of 32-35 inches; fresh complexion; blue eyes and dark brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic.
John was initially allotted to No.47 Depot, but was transferred after a few days to the 44th Battalion which was forming at Claremont Camp. John was allotted to “D” Company of the 44th Battalion with the regimental no.708. Training began in earnest for the men of the 44th Battalion and over the next few months saw them at Claremont and Osborne Rifle Range improving their shooting skills.
On the 4th April 1916 John was tragically killed as he crossed the North Fremantle Railway Line when struck by the 10.30pm train from Fremantle to Perth. A court of inquiry was held by the 44th Battalion which showed that John was last on parade earlier that morning. It seems he broke camp and travelled to Fremantle and was returning when killed by the train. The 44th Battalion inquiry agreed with the coroner’s finding that it was an accidental death and no blame could be apportioned for it.
Private John Joseph Flanagan was buried in the Roman Catholic section of Fremantle Cemetery. His wife left Fremantle and went to live in Albany WA.