Gomez, Juan

2826 Private Juan Gomez - 8th Battalion AIF

Juan Gomez was born at Rosario Argentina on the 22nd December 1879. He had his early life in Argentina and South America before he set out for New Zealand in the 1900's. Juan was working as a Sailor. He then left New Zealand in 1910 before heading to Sydney where he based himself for twelve months and then headed to Fremantle.

Upon arriving in Fremantle he took up residence at 24 Short Street. This was a boarding house run by Mrs. Emily Theakston. In 1912 Juan applied for Naturalisation and his formed was countersigned by Sergeant William Hopkins of the Fremantle Water Police who stated that Juan was a person of good repute. This citizenship was granted and Juan continued living in Fremantle. He was employed on Fremantle wharf as a Lumper.

Juan married Henrietta Griffiths in Fremantle in 1915 and they took up residence at 37 Nelson Street (later renumbered to 23 Nelson) before moving to 57 Bellevue Terrace Fremantle. They would have a son called Phillip.

On the 15th October 1916 Juan enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was passed as fit for service, with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 6 inches tall;

Weight - 138lbs;

Chest Measurement - 34-36 inches;

Complexion - Sallow;

Eyes - Brown;

Hair - Black.

After his successful enlistment Juan was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.92 Training Depot. He spent a few weeks there being taken through the basics of infantry work. On the 2nd December 1916 Juan was then transferred to the 6th Reinforcements to the 39th Battalion AIF. The 39th Battalion was a Victorian unit of the 10th Brigade, 3rd Division AIF but they took a Western Australian reinforcement group.

Juan trained with this group for a few more weeks in WA and then their embarkation orders arrived. On the 29th December 1916 Juan and his group entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Persic and set sail for England, arriving at Devonport on the 3rd March 1917.

Juan and his group was then disembarked and sent to the 10th Training Battalion at Durrington Camp on the Salisbury Plains. Juan would train in England through to May 1917. He was also now re-allotted units. Instead of joining the 39th battalion he would be heading to the 8th Battalion of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division AIF.

On the 23rd May 1917 Juan arrived in France and was sent to the 1st Australian Division Base Depot Camp. He had two more weeks here and was then taken on strength of the 8th Battalion on the 12th June 1917. Juan joined the 8th Battalion just as they were embarking on a three month rest period out of the front line. Much of the time from June to August 1917 was taken up with training and sporting activities.

In September 1917 the 8th Battalion proceeded to Belgium where they would take part in the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 20th September 1917 the 8th battalion took part in the Battle of Menin Road. They took their objectives but during the advance Juan was struck in the face by shrapnel when a high explosive shell burst near him, sustaining damage to his right eye.

He was evacuated to the 1st South African Field Ambulance for initial treatment and then was taken to the 32nd Casualty Clearing Station. Juan was then sent on ambulance train to Abbeville where he was admitted to the 3rd Australian General Hospital. He remained there for eight days receiving treatment and was then shipped to England. Upon arriving in England, Juan was sent to the 2nd London General Hospital in Chelsea. The wound was listed as severe and he remained having treatment here till the 17th October 1917. He was then transferred to the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield.

Due to the severity of the wound his eye could not be saved, and Juan was medically graded for a return to Australia. However, on the 15th November Juan was given a two-week furlough, after which he reported into No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth. He would now wait here to be assigned a berth on a hospital ship home.

Juan would wait at Weymouth for nearly three months, though during this time he was given ample leave. On the 15th February 1918 Juan boarded the transport ship Llanstephen Castle at Plymouth and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 9th April 1918.

After being disembarked, Juan was sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital in South Terrace Fremantle for a full medical check. He was then discharged on the 27th April 1918.

Juan then resumed employment as a Lumper on Fremantle wharf and the family moved to 34 Russell Street Fremantle (later renumbered to 16 Russell) before moving to 39 Hampton Road.

After a few years the family moved to 32 Charles St South Fremantle (later renumbered to 14 Charles)

Juan died at Fremantle Hospital on the 4th January 1929 aged 53. He was buried at Fremantle Cemetery Plot Methodist MON BB 0415.