John Distant earned the military medal for bravery and a bar to the Military Medal – honours described by local RSL members as a step below that of the Victoria Cross. 

The Mount Isa RSL sub-branch committee plans to make sure Mr Distant is buried in a distinguishable grave that befits a war hero. 

Mr Distant served in the 11^th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery in World War I, enlisting in Brisbane.

The labourer went to war with his brother Harry in France and received injuries including a gunshot wound to the hand.  

According to paperwork signed by his infantry brigade’s commanding officer, Mr Distant took charge of four mortars during conflict on July 4, 1918, after his section officers became casualties. 

“He organised an SOS line and it was entirely due to his good management that the trench mortars greatly assisted in repelling the enemy counter-attacks,” the commanding lieutenant-colonel wrote. 

Mr Distant and his wife Alice had five children and between the world wars moved to Stanthorpe and eventually to Warwick. 

He re-enlisted in September 1940 for World War II, when he was 55, and was discharged in 1947. 

A short time later Mr Distant moved to Mount Isa for work opportunities but drowned in the Leichhardt River on March 30. 

According to a Townsville Bulletin article, Mr Distant died near the Isa Street bridge. 

The circumstances were not considered suspicious. 

He was buried in an unmarked grave only discovered recently by the Mount Isa RSL sub-branch after being told by Mr Distant’s family.

RSL sub-branch committee member Stephen Carrington said it was not clear why Mr Distant’s grave was unmarked for so long. 

“Well, we were just discussing that, whether it was a pauper’s grave,” Mr Carrington said.

“We gather he came to Mount Isa for work; he served in both wars, which was rare.” 

The grave was being restored complete with a bronze plaque.

It is believed Mr Distant’s family will attend the unveiling of the plaque to be held on November 1. 

Mr Carrington said the RSL sub-branch discovered more than 200 graves belonging to veterans in the cemetery while restoring Mr Distant’s grave. 

The RSL sub-branch wished to build an honour roll at the front of the cemetery that would show where the veterans were buried. It is a project supported by the city council. 

Sub-branch president Les Bunn said it was up to families to decide what to do about the restoration of graves but the RSL also had responsibilities. 

“We have a duty to ensure that their final resting place is appropriate,” he said.