brothers of John
SAPPER JOHN MADDERS
6009 - 1st Australian Tunnelling Company
Howard Cemetery, Qld
John Madders was born in Ferndale, Glamorgan, Wales about 1886 the son of John and Mary Jane (nee Evans) Madders. John (21) and Mary (21) with infant son John embarked from Devonshire arriving in Maryborough, Queensland on the barque Scottish Hero on August 3, 1886.
The Brisbane Courier on Wednesday August 11, 1886 reported the ship's voyage on arrival in Brisbane:
SHIPPING
The Scottish Hero, brought 279 immigrants and a general cargo. The health of the immigrants generally was very good indeed, and there were three births. The vessel encountered a heavy gale on June 26th, when running down her easting in lat. 41o. A great quantity of water was shipped, and the cabin flooded, and many inconveniences were suffered. On July 2nd another gale from the south-east was experienced in long, 97o, when the vessel was driven a good deal northwards off her track. On July 26th when midway between Sydney and Brisbane another heavy gale set in from the eastward, blowing away the main topmast stay sail and jib. After twelve hours' strong blow and heavy seas the gale veered to the north and for two days bad weather was experienced.
John (Junior) followed mining work with his family and was a miner at Burrum, Qld in 1908 and in 1913 was at the Bluff Colliery near Rockhampton, Qld. Previous military training was fifteen months with the Field Company, Howard Infantry.
At the Central District Recruiting Depot in Rockhampton, Queensland on March 18, 1916 at thirty years of age the miner enlisted with the Recruiting Officer for active service abroad. Passing the preliminary medical examination personal particulars taken show his residence as Bluff, Queensland Central Railway and unmarried. Height was 163cms (5ft 4ins), weighing 61.8kgs (136lbs) with a chest measurement of 92cms (36ins) having a brown complexion with bluish eyes and light brown hair. His eye test showed poor vision in the right eye and fair in the left one. Distinctive marks were a scar on his right shin and on his left foot.
Application was presented again on April 8, 1916 and declared medically fit for service. Attestation forms were completed adding further particulars of a scar on his buttocks and Methodist his religious denomination. Next-of-kin was his mother Mrs Mary Jane Madders of The Bluff, via Rockhampton, Qld. He was sworn in the same day.
Acknowledgement to the volunteers was published as follows:
The Capricornian April 8, 1916
CENTRAL DISTRICT VOLUNTEERS
TEN MORE LEAVE
An additional ten recruits accepted for service in the Australian expeditionary forces left Rockhampton on Saturday and Monday for Brisbane. Their names are: J. Weekes, E.L. Murphy, John Rodgers, John Madders, R.T. Hegarty, V.C.L. Johns, E. Kirkpatrick, S. South, C.J. Weakley, all Rockhampton; W.R.H. Hichens, Clermont.
The 516 Reinforcements departed Melbourne, Victoria on October 25, 1916 at 1.30pm on board the transport HMAT A38 Ulysses. The Australian coastline disappeared from view on October 30, 1916 with the port of Durban reached at 11.30am on November 13, 1916. Windy weather was experienced going around the Cape and arrived at Cape Town at 7am on November 19. Sierra Leone was the next port of call but their departure was delayed until December 14, 1916 as it was not safe to proceed further. Arrived at Plymouth, England on December 28, 1916 after 65 days at sea, with the troops disembarking at 1.30pm and detrained to the station at Tidworth. They marched into the Aust Details Camp at Perham Down's camp.
On January 28, 1917 the Reinforcement proceeded to France from Folkstone and marched into the Aust General Base Depot the next day. On February 8 Sapper was assigned to the 1st Anzac Entrenching Battalion which was an advanced section of the Base Depot that organised works near the lines and through duties, usually of ten days duration, would accustom the reinforcements to war conditions before being assigned to a company in the field.
He was assigned on April 3, 1917 to proceed to the 1st Tunnelling Company in the field.
Blue Chevrons were issued to wear on his uniform for twelve months service abroad.
Although not recorded on his Service Card Sapper Madders stated he suffered from Bronchitis from January 20, 1917. His service continued without incident and he was granted leave to England in January, 1918. While in London he suffered Laryngitis on January 21 and was admitted to the 2nd Aust Auxiliary Hospital at Southall from A.I.F. Headquarters. Discharged on February 5 took the balance of his leave and ordered to report to the No. 1 Command Depot at Sutton Veny on February 19, 1918.
He appeared before a Medical Board on March 11, 1918 classed as B1a3 disability and his Statement of Case reads:
Disability: Chronic Suppurature of Otitis Media (Discharge coming from middle ear)
Date of disability: Existed prior to enlistment
Place of origin: Australia
Essential facts: Stated right ear has always been deaf. About seven months ago condition became much worse and ear commenced to discharge. Was evacuated on July 20, 1917 with Bronchitis
Aggravated by: Constitutional - not attributed to service but aggravated by service
Present condition: Hearing watch nil right - loud conversations 3ft. Left - loud shouting 3ft. Right chronic suppurature otitis media. Left ear deaf as a post.
Other disabilities: Some rhonchi (wheezing sound) still present in chest,
Recommendation: Permanently unfit for all services
Sapper Madders departed from Liverpool on the hospital ship H.T. Suevic on April 21, 1918 for the return voyage to Australia for discharge and his berth was a hammock. The vessel docked in Melbourne, Vic (3rd M.D.) on June 6, 1918. The Queenslander on June 1, 1918 advised the following news:
SOLDIERS COMING HOME
The following have been listed for return to Australia and are actually en route from abroad:
6009 Spr J. Madders, Mnrs Article Abridged
At the 6th Aust General Hospital at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane on June 9, 1918 he was admitted for treatment of his Otitis Media remaining until July 22. On June 27 a Report from a Specialist stated:
Recent cold. Nasal Obstruction. Deaf right 1/100; left nil/100. Inflation gives 3/100; left 3½ /300. He should have Ekaline nasal douche and daily inflation. Let him report in a week with a view of nasal treatment if his cold is well.
The Medical Board found chronic suppuratives Otitis Media aggravated by service. Discharge was recommended. Incapacity was ¼ percent for six months. Was sent to the S.O.I. & R.S. (Staff officer for Invalid and Returned Soldiers) to await disposal.
Military Discharge was issued in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on August 2, 1918 as medically unfit and was granted a pension from the following day.
He returned to his family at The Bluff Colliery and was at Torbanlea working as a miner in 1925.
Sapper 6009 John Madders, 1st Tunnelling Company was issued with the British War Medal (24548) and the Victory Medal (23712) for serving his country.
John Madders died on June 25, 1929 aged 43 years. His Commonwealth War Grave headstone is located in Remembrance Park Cemetery, Howard Qld.
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