WHEN he died at his Cranbourne home in 1963, Gallipoli veteran Jack Telling was surrounded by “many old Diggers and Gippsland friends” according to the Dandenong Journal.
Jack died suddently at the Heidleberg Repatriation Hospital in May 1963, just weeks after being admitted. He was 67.
John Stanley Telling was born in Hay, NSW, the son of James Telling.
He later moved with his parents to Ballarat, where he completed his schooling and signed up for war on 19 April 1915. He was assigned to the 5th Battalion, 7th Reinforcements.
The 5th Battalion was among the first infantry units raised for the AIF during the World War I. Like the 6th, 7th and 8th Battalions it was recruited from Victoria and, together with these battalions, formed the 2nd Brigade.
At the time of his elistment Private Telling was a single labourer of the Methodist faith.
According to the Journal, Private Stanley was with the original Anzacs who took part in the historic landing at Anzac Cove.
His service record shows that he contracted influenza while on duty at Gallipoli in November.
By January 1916 Private Telling was in hospital in Egypt.
Just weeks later the decision was made to return Private Telling to Australia.
He embarked from Cairo on 19 March 1916 bound for Australia.
Later the same year he married Wonthaggi girl Lillian Donovan.
Jack worked on the Victorian Railways as a fitter and turner.
He retired due to ill-health in 1942 and then became licensee of the Woodside Hotel.
After passing on the hotel licence to his son, Jack “lived quietly in retirement at Cranbourne“ where he joined the Cranbourne RSL.
He was survived by Lillian and two sons, Ted and Jack, and nine grandchildren.
Jack Telling was buried at the Cranbourne Cemetery.
