John CHRISTIANSEN

Constable John Christiansen was a member of 'C' Squadron, 2nd Australian Light Horse, for five years from the age of 16 until he joined the Queensland Police in 1914. After seven months he joined the 5th Light Horse Regiment and embarked on 12 June 1915 abroad the HMAT Karoola A53. Christiansen was appointed to the rank of Acting Sergeant during his training in Egypt but, as were the regulations at the time, he reverted to his rank of Trooper on arrival at Gallipoli. The 5th LHR had gone to Anzac Cove without horses in an unmounted role and were given the responsibility of covering the southern flank of the Australian position at Chatham's Post. Trooper Christiansen arrived at this position on 2 October 1915. He reported sick on 9 November and admitted to the ANZAC hospital before returning to his unit a week after. He was killed in action, in unknown circumstances, at Chatham's Post on 22 November 1915 at the age of 22.