Doing our bit, Mosman 1914-1918 -- John Henry Francis Pain

confirmed

Born: 15 August 1893

Died: 13 May 1941

A professional soldier from the first graduating class of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, who was appointed to the AIF on 17 September 1914. He embarked for Egypt with the 2nd Battalion on 18 October and arrived on 8 December 1914.

He landed at Gallipoli on 25 April. He was wounded (face, shoulders and legs) in action at the Battle of Lone Pine and was evacuated on 8 August initially to Malta and then England for treatment and convalescence.

For his service at Gallipoli he was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Military Cross. The recommendation for the latter was as follows:

"As a Company Officer took part in the assault (at Lone Pine). When the Officer and crew of a machine gun had become casualties he personally fired it, the tripod supported on the shoulders of three men, though wounded in the shoulder by a bullet until he was wounded in the head and the gun put out of action, one of the men being killed."

The two survivors of his machine gun crew were each awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, second only to the Victoria Cross.

On 15 June 1916 he joined as a Staff Captain the 3rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters at Petillon, France. He was promoted to Major in October 1916 and transferred on 20 October to the 3rd Australian Division Headquarters. He was again wounded in action on 16 March 1917 but remained on duty. At the time, the headquarters were located at Croix du Bac, south-west of Armentieres, France.

On 21 August 1917 he was transferred to 1st Anzac Corps Headquarters at Hazebrouck, France where he remained until joining the 9th Infantry Brigade Headquarters then north of Armentieres on 12 December 1917.

He was wounded in action for a third time on 7 August 1918, on the eve of the start of the Hundred Day Offensive, but remained on duty. In October 1918, he commenced a Junior Staff Course at Cambridge University, England. By this time, his brigade had come out of the front line for the last time.

He was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Order in October 1918. The recommendation for the latter award was as follows:

"Major Pain has rendered sustained distinguished service as Brigade-Major to the 9th Australian Infantry Brigade during the period 25th February - 19th September 1918.

"Throughout the advance Accroche Wood to Clery by his devotion to duty, initiative and courage, Major Pain rendered invaluable service which played an important part in the success of the operations, the nature of which was such as to demand the greatest endurance and determination. Major Pain's consistent enthusiasm and concentration ensured the highest result, and reflected the greatest credit upon him."

He embarked for Australia on 25 February 1919 and arrived on 16 April then his appointment in the AIF was terminated on 15 June 1919. He resumed service in the Australian Military Force.

During World War 2, he was appointed Military Liaison Officer at Australia House, London. He had only been in the position for five months when he embarked for Australia in February 1941. He died at Caulfield Military Hospital on 13 May 1941.

More details of his military career can be found in his entry in Anzac Biographies in the Main Sources section below. [JSB]