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John Tancoe was born in Bacchus Marsh, VIC in 1895 to James Tancoe and Edith Whitbourn.
John was a medical student in Sydney, NSW when he initially enlisted in the AIF on the 28th of January 1916, aged nearly 21. His service dates from the 18th of February when his enlistment was altered and he joined the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) - initially at Bathurst, NSW. In December he embarked from Sydney aboard the RMS Orontes with the AMC General Reinforcements and disembarked at Plymouth, England in February 1917.
After arriving in England John proceeded to the AAMC Traning Depot before transferring to the 16th Field Ambulance in late March and then to the 12th Field Ambulance in France in May. In November he was admitted to hospital for three weeks with appendicitis. At the end of January 1918 John had a month's leave in Paris and England. On the 18th of September his actions saw him awarded the Military Medal.
...Every H.Q. Officer except R.M.O. and one other Bn H.Q. Officer was hit and eight out of 16 Stretcher Bearers of Ambulance were hit. Private TANCOE rose to the situation and showed the utmost bravery in dressing wounded and carrying them to extemporised shelters. This was done under continuous heavy shell fire...
Source: recomendation for the Military Medal
..showed himself fearless and indefatigable in carrying back wounded. Owing to half the Bearers being casualties the work for the remainder was especially heavy.
In November 1918 John was promoted to Lance Corporal before returning to England in January 1919 and attached for duty with Headquarters (Medical). He embarked for home aboard the Nestor in May, returning to Sydney in July and was discharged from the AIF in Melbourne in August.
John was living at Cohuna, VIC in 1923 and died in Mornington, VIC in 1973, aged 78.
He is listed on the Bacchus Marsh & District Roll of Honour.
Tree Position (accuracy ±1 tree) -37.688287388359875, 144.47208947828187
Last updated by lee, Tue, 04 May 2021 11:49:30
