Deeble, Joel James

3773 Private Joel James Deeble - 11th Battalion AIF

Joel James Deeble was born in 1877 in Sandhurst Victoria to Joel and Jane Deeble. He was one of sixteen siblings born into the family. He was educated and had his early years in Bendigo.

The family moved to Western Australia in the 1890's and took up residence in the Goldfields. Joel had been married in Victoria and brought his wife Teresa Beatrice with him to the Goldfields. Sadly Teresa died on the 29th January 1903.

Joel continued with life in the Goldfields but by 1915 Joel was living at 193 Attfield Street Fremantle and was working as a labourer. (later renumbered to 111 Attfield).

On the 23rd August 1915 Joel enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for enlistment, with the medical officer recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 9 & 3/4 inches tall;

Weight - 149lbs;

Chest Measurement - 35-37 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Brown;

Hair - Light Brown.

After his successful enlistment Joel was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.26 Depot Company. He was taken through the basics of infantry work at this depot and on the 16th October was transferred into the 12th Reinforcements to the 11th Battalion AIF. He spent a month training with this group and on the 22nd November 1915 they entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship RMS Mongolia and set sail to Egypt.

After their arrival in December, the men were disembarked and sent to the AIF reinforcement camp. Joel spent a few months in this camp but on the 2nd March 1916 was taken on strength of "C" Company of the 11th Battalion.

Joel only spent two weeks with the 11th battalion as he was sent to the 1st Australian Stationary hospital with a deformed foot and hammer toe. After a few days he was transferred to the 3rd Australian General Hospital. He was in hospital through April and May 1916 and the medical authorities decided to return Joel to Australia for an operation on his feet.

On the 21st May 1916 Joel boarded the hospital ship Armadale and set sail for home. After reaching Fremantle Joel was sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital in South Terrace Fremantle.

Joel was discharged from the AIF on the 4th July 1916.

His elder brother Daniel died in Victoria in 1920 of war causes; while his other brother William survived his service.

Joel's mother died on the 30th April 1920 in Attfield Street Fremantle.

Joel then resumed his career as a miner and in 1922 was working at Ajana. He was here through to the 1930's when he moved to Mahomet's Flat in Geraldton in 1939.

Joel Deeble died on the 23rd June 1945 in Geraldton and was buried in Geraldton Cemetery.