Branch of Service

Army

Conflict

World War I (1914-1918)

Date of Enlistment

11/09/1918

Date of Discharge

31/12/1918

Place of Enlistment

Singleton NSW

Gender

Male

Date of Birth

17/10/1896

Place of Birth

Weetangera (also spelt Weetangerra)

Address (at enlistment)

Ravensworth NSW (previously 'Springvale', Weetangerra ACT)

School(s) Attended

Weetangerra (Weetangera) School

Occupation

Farmer

Next of Kin

Samuel Shumack (father), Ravensworth NSW

Service Number

9209

Final Rank

Private

Final Unit

Depot

Weetangera Honor Roll, St. John's Schoolhouse Museum, Reid

John Everest Shumack was the older brother of David Shumack and a cousin of Ted Shumack. He was born at the family property 'Springvale' (in modern day Cook) in 1896 and began his schooling at Weetangera at the beginning of the 20th century. After 'Springvale' was compulsorily acquired the family moved to Hebden in the Hunter valley to a property they called 'Rangaweeta' (a rearrangement of Weetangera). He was discharged in Sydney on 31 December 1918 following the end of the war. In July 1942 he enlisted again as a 45 year old to serve in World War 2.

The Shumacks had farmed at 'Springvale' (now a part of the suburb of Cook) until the property was resumed in 1915 when they moved to the Singleton area. His father was the author of 'Tales and Legends of Canberra Pioneers'. He died on 22/23 June 1979.

Description - height 5 feet 7½ inches, weight 138 pounds, chest 33-36 inches, fair complexion, blue eyes, fair hair, Church of England.

Lyall Gillespie, 'Ginninderra - Forerunner to Canberra', 1992
Elizabeth White, 'Shumack Family', manuscript NLA (p.334)
John E. Shumack, 'The Old Weetangerra School', ed.153, 154 Canberra & District Historical Society Newsletter, 1974
Obituary, John E. Shumack, ed.206 Canberra & District Historical Society Newsletter, Aug. 1979
G.A. Mawer, 'When Hall Answered the Call', 2015
NAA RecordSearch - Series B2455 (First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920)