John was born in 1897 in Tocumwal, New South Wales. The son of Frederick and Elizabeth Quirk who lived in Echuca. As a mark of respect when John died, the Echuca Town Hall flags were flown at half mast. His family remembered him in 1919: Over in France our sad thoughts roam To a lonely place so far from home; Although your dear face we cannot see We hold you dear in memory.

Gabrielle Bartels