Author: Edwin Habben O.A.M. R.F.D.
Private Jesse Yarrow (birth registered as Jessie Yarrow), the son of Thomas Yarrow and Elizabeth Yarrow (nee Bates) was born at Rosewood in Queensland on 13th August 1892. At the age of 24 years and 11 months he voluntarily enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Ipswich in Queensland on 6th August 1917 after swearing the statutory oath that he would serve in the Military Force for the duration of the war and an additional four months. He had no previous military experience. At the time of his enlistment he was unmarried and employed as a Farmer. No physical description is contained in his archive file. He stated that he was of the Congregational religion. He gave his next of kin as his father, Mr William Yarrow, residing at Rosewood in Queensland. His next of kin was later changed to that of his wife, Mrs Minnie Yarrow, residing at 448 Leichhardt Street, Brisbane.
Private Jesse Yarrow was allocated to the 21st Reinforcements of the 26th Infantry Battalion and allotted the regimental number of 7135. He embarked for overseas service in the Australian Imperial Force on the Royal Mail Ship “Ormonde” from the port of Sydney in New South Wales on 2nd March 1918. He disembarked from the ship in Egypt on 4th April 1918. He embarked for England on the ship “Ellenga” from Port Tewfik on 30th April 1918 and he disembarked from the ship at Southampton on 15th May 1918 and later that day he joined the 5th Training Battalion at Fovant. He was transferred to the 9th Infantry Battalion Details at Sutton Veny on 3rd June 1918. He was hospitalised at the Sutton Veny Hospital suffering from influenza during the period 5th July until 17th July 1918.
Private Jesse Yarrow embarked for overseas service in France on 15th August 1918 and he joined the Australian Infantry Base Depot at Havre in France on 17th August 1918. He left the Base Depot on 23rd August 1918 and he joined the 9th Infantry Battalion at the Connaught Lines near Poperinghe in the field on 31st August 1918. He attended a course of instruction at the 3rd Brigade Signals School during the period 14th October until 3rd November 1918. He was attached for duty with the 4th Australian Army Service Corps on 29th November 1918. He was admitted to the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance Unit suffering from influenza on 12th December 1918 and later that day transferred to the 20th Casualty Clearing Station at Maubeuge. He was placed on Ambulance Train No. 1 on 14th December 1918 and admitted to the 55th General Hospital on 21st December 1918.. He was transferred to the Convalescent Depot at Boulogne on 21st December 1918. Upon recovering from his illness he was transferred to the Details Camp on 27th December 1918. He joined the Australian Infantry Base Depot at Havre on 29th December 1918.. He left the Base Depot on 11th January 1919 and re-joined his battalion in the field on 13th January 1919.
Private Jesse Yarrow was detached for duty with the Brigade Concert Party during the period 24th January until 5th April 1919. He was granted leave to England during the period 10th April until 29th April 1919. He left his battalion on 22nd May 1919 and joined the Australian Base Depot to prepare for his return to Australia on 22nd May 1919. He joined No 1 Group in England on 29th May 1919. He left England to return to Australia on the ship “Takada” on 18th July 1919 and he disembarked from the ship at Melbourne in Victoria on 7th September 1919 and then travelled overland by rail transport to Brisbane. During the voyage he was appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal for the duration of the voyage only. He was discharged from the Australian Imperial Force at Brisbane in Queensland on 2nd October 1919. For his service during World War 1 he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His name is commemorated locally on the Rosewood Honour Board under the district name of Ashwell.
Notes:
The above photograph of Jesse Yarrow and the following short biography appeared in the publication, “Queenslanders who fought in the Great War”:
YARROW, Jesse. Private, No. 7135, 9th Battalion. Born at Lanefield 13th August 1892 and educated at Ashwell. He is the son of the late Thomas Yarrow and Elizabeth Yarrow of Lanefield. On 8th February 1918 he married Minnie Deeks, daughter of Mr and Mrs W.J. Deeks of Kelvin Grove, Brisbane. Enlisted and sailed in February 1918. Subsequently arrived in England and completed his training at Salisbury Plain. Was despatched to France and served right up to the time of the Armistice. Left for Australia and arrived back in August 1919.
The 1922 Commonwealth Electoral Roll shows a Jesse Yarrow, occupation Labourer, residing at 70 Amy Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane.
