ALCORN John

John ("Jack" as he was known to many) Alcorn was born in Milton, New South Wales on 12 June 1882 to Joseph Armer and Jane (McDonald) Alcorn, the eldest of 6 children, a brother Norman and four sisters. The family moved to the Richmond River area and settled at Bangalow in 1906.
There was a move by many families and young men of the northern rivers district of New South Wales to head north to the Blackall Range (Q) around this time. John acquired a block of land, and with his younger brother Norman made that move too around 1908, being among the first to settle in the Maleny district. In a remarkably short time he had converted an exceptionally heavily timbered area into an ideal dairy farm.

With the outbreak of WW1 John, who was a man of social conscience, made a couple of attempts to enlist in the AIF prior to his successful application. His brother Norman No. 2002 had enlisted on 11 October 1915, 2nd Light Horse Regiment and returned home with a seriously broken leg (femur) on 12 April 1916. John Enlisted in the AIF on 4 January 1917. John’s teeth had been the reason of the failed medical tests and he was finally declared medically fit on 6 February, obviously after dental repairs were made.

John was an older soldier being 34 years and 6 months at time of enlistment. He was single, stood 6 foot 1 1/4 inches tall, weighed 145 lbs., with a dark complexion, blue eyes, black hair, his religion was Presbyterian. His next of kin was his mother – Mrs. Jane Alcorn, Eastwood, Lismore in New South Wales. Private John Alcorn, No. 18538 was placed in the 11th Depot Battalion on 6 February 1917 and remained with that Battalion until 28 February then on 1 March he was posted to 10th/4th Pioneers Engineers where he remained until 13 March. On 14 March he was a Driver in the Engineers then on 17 March became a Sapper with the May Reinforcements Field Company Engineers.

Community Farewell

It was reported in the ‘Nambour Chronicle of March 30 1917’ and reprinted in ‘The Ulladulla and Milton Times (NSW: 1891 – 1917) on Saturday 21 April 1917, page 3’ that a very large social gathering was held to farewell Sapper John Alcorn. During the proceedings many eloquent speeches paid tribute to his fine character, one speaker drawing attention to two previous attempts to enlist with admiration of his "indomitable pluck". Gifts of: A set of Military brushes and a safety razor – The Landsborough Shire Council; A gold Medal – The Maleny Patriotic Committee; a wristlet watch – The residents of Witta; a purse of sovereigns’ - a mark of esteem from his fellow directors of the Maleny Co-op Butter Factory; Maleny Rifle Club’s gold medal- Maleny Rifle Club President; a fountain pen – The Union Church were presented. In briefly responding to the gifts Sapper Alcorn voiced his appreciation and wonder at what he had done ‘to deserve so much’ saying the presents would be an everlasting souvenir of the goodness of the Maleny People.

Military Service

On 8 August 1917 he embarked at Sydney per "Archises" A68 and disembarked Liverpool, England, on 2 October 1917. His first round of training began the following day at No. 3 Details Camp Parkhouse and he remained there until 5 November when he attended Engineers Training Details at Brightlingsea, Parkhouse. From there he proceeded overseas to France embarking at Southampton on 31 January 1918 and the following day marched into Rouelles into the 1st Division Engineers. He was taken on strength of 3rd Field Engineers in the "Field" on 4 March 1918.

Sapper John Alcorn No 18538 was admitted to 3rd Field Ambulance, France on 13 May 1918, sick. Two days later he was transferred to 55th General Hospital France, and admitted suffering "debility Class B3". From hospital he was transferred to the Australian General Base Depot on 1 June before returning to England to No 2 Convalescent Depot, Weymouth where he remained until 31 July when he embarked at Liverpool per H T "Malta" for Australia, and disembarked 28 September 1918 at 3rd Military District then travelled overland to 1st Military District. He was discharged on 16 October 1918, medically unfit.

Medals awarded: British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Community Welcome Home

It was reported in the ‘Nambour Chronicle’ Friday 11 October 1918 page 4 and also ‘Northern Star (Lismore, NSW: 1876 – 1954)', Saturday 21 December 1918, page 2 (The home of John’s parents - Joseph and Jane Alcorn) that “ Maleny turned out in force to honour and welcome home Private Jack Alcorn.” Comment was made that;” Private Alcorn, whose appearance gives evidence of the severity of the times passed through, has been in the thick of the fighting on the West Front and was invalided home on account of trench fever". He was kindly motored from Landsborough in the car of Mr. A C K Cooke to the welcome arranged by the Reception Committee on the Obi Obi Bridge which had been "gaily decorated with flags". After many eloquent speeches and tributes from many community dignitaries John Alcorn got out of the car and addressed the crowd with a few well-chosen words then the crowd present gathered around to ‘grip’ his hand.

That same night a public reception was held for him in the Maleny School of Arts. At 9.00 pm the arrival of Private Alcorn, accompanied by his mother, his brother Norman and sister Crystal, was announced and he was escorted into the building by a bodyguard of returned soldiers. Many more speeches followed and the chairman then invited Miss Crystal Alcorn to pin on her brother a fine gold medal as a token from Maleny of its appreciation of his invaluable services. John’s sister Crystal had assisted an injured Norman operate the farm during John’s absence.

John responded and after showing his appreciation for all said, including the kindly tribute directed towards his mother. He indicated that his duties were ‘those of a transport section of engineers, who had to undertake the placing of barbed wire entanglements etc.’ and he attributed ‘the great successes to those of the other ranks – the infantrymen and artillerymen – to whom he metaphorically took off his hat. He assured the Red Cross folk that their efforts were very highly appreciated among the soldiers, and urged them not to slacken in their efforts.’

John married Alice Amelia Kindred in Granville, New South Wales during 1919. Alice joined John at his Maleny dairy farm and they had two daughters, Betty and Grace.

The returned WW1 soldiers of Maleny and surrounding districts formed the Maleny Branch of the Returned Soldiers and Sailors League and John was a valuable member. He again enlisted in 1941, but was rejected as medically unfit.

In an article announcing his death in the ‘Northern Star (Lismore, NSW: 1876-1954) 9 July 1943 page 4’ it was noted; ‘On Mr. Alcorn’s farm at Maleny there are several acres of the Queensland (Bauple) Nut which are a living monument to his keen foresight as to the importance of this industry.’ (Researcher’s Note: some 50 of these trees still remain in 2015)

For many years he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Maleny Co-op Dairy Assn and for some time occupied the position of Chairman. He was also a member of the Board of Management for the Presbyterian Church for many years and a regular communicant.

John Alcorn died suddenly at his home in Maleny on 27 June 1943 aged 61 years. His funeral was held at the Maleny Presbyterian Church in Cedar Street and he was buried at the Witta Cemetery.

Witta and District Roll of Honor, Maleny R.S.L. Memorial Hall, Bunya Street, Maleny

Soldiers' Memorial Hospital Maleny Roll of Honor, Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Bean Street, Maleny

Shire of Landsborough Roll of Honour, Caloundra RSL, West Terrace, Caloundra

• alcorn j crop.jpg Hits: 621 Size: 1,24 Mb

Ancestry.com, Trove, Photo courtesy "The Range News" 22nd April, 1994 and supplied by daughter Betty Trim.