John’s birth to Henry and Sarah Hackett was registered at Bundarra in 1899. He was an eighteen year old Farmer near Inverell when he enlisted in January 1916. As his parents were deceased Mr. S W Farrell signed his Attestation papers giving permission for John to serve overseas. He joined other district men who formed the Second Contingent of The Kurrajongs and left Inverell together on 29 February.
John became a member of A Company Depot Battalion at Armidale where training was carried out until they moved to the Rutherford Camp. Here he was transferred to the 33rd Battalion 2nd Reinforcements. They sailed from Australia on HMAT A68 Anchises in August. After arriving in England he was transferred to the Australian Veterinary Hospital before going to France in November. During August the following year John became ill and was admitted to hospital. In 1918 he was ill again and invalided to England in July. He was returned to Australia in November and died of tuberculosis at Woodville, Red Cross Home, Randwick in October 1920. John was buried in the Presbyterian Section of Rookwood Cemetery NSW.
Private John Hackett is remembered at Inverell where his name is inscribed on the town’s Honor Roll.