William James (Jim) Harrison

William James (Jim) Harrison

Personal Information
Date of Birth	3 Mar 1924
Place of Birth	Victoria Park, Western Australia
Death	3 Mar 2004, aged 80
Place of Death	Mount Pleasant, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	19 years, 2 months
Description	6'1" (1.85m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; green eyes ; fair hair ; scars on back right shoulder
Occupation	Clerk (Local Government)
Religion	Congregational
Address	Albany highway, Kelmscott, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Mother , Mrs. M Harrison
Military Information
Reg Number	WX39242
Date of Enlistment	10 May 1943
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	Headquarters Western Command
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia
Medals	War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

William James Harrison was known locally as 'Jim' Harrison. Jim was working in 1939 as an Office Junior for the Armadale-Kelmscott Road Board.

War Service

Jim's initial enlistment was on a part time basis on 8 Apr 1942 in an unknown CMF unit with Service Number W62093. He was then called up for full time service on 10 Sep 1942. His initial NOK was his father Mr Arthur Harrison, but his was changed in 1944 to his mother. Jim was posted on 12 Oct 1942 to the Western Australian Line of Communications Area Training Depot AAOC at Northam. On completion of basic training he was transferred on 23 Jan 1943 to the Western Command Motor Transport Training Depot to participe in the P.90 Mechanic/Driver Course from 1 - 27 Mar 1943. On 27 Mar 1943 he was transferred to the 2nd Australian Army Ordnance Corp Training Depot, and then on 16 Apr 1943 to '3rd ARD. Six days later on 22 Apr 1943 he was posted to 6th Australian Army Ordnance Field Park at Midland Junction.

On 10 May 1943 he enlisted in the 2nd AIF and was given a new Number, WX39242, employed as a Trade Group III Clerk. He was then transferred on 27 Jun 1943 to 2/5th Australian Infantry Troops Ordnance Field Park. Postings continued to change, with his next move on 5 Jul 1943 when he transferred to the HQ 3rd Australian Corps. He attended the 3rd Australian Ordnance Corps School from 6-13 Aug 1943 for a week long course before returning to HQs 3 Corps. On 6 Jul 1944 Jim transferred to 7th Australian Base Ordnance Depot after which on 24 Aug 1944 he moved again, this time to the 17th Australian Advanced Ordnance Depot. Jim faced a Medical Board on 30 Nov 1944 which found him to be "B2", Unfit for service outside Australia or in a hot humid climate. On 4 Dec 1944 Jim was transferred to Headquarters Western Command which allocated him to 4th Local Purchase Office (Perth) where on 26 Dec 1944 he was graded as a Group 3 Clerk.

On 9 Mar 1945 Jim transferred to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot's Discharge Section, with his discharge taking place on 12 Mar 1945.

Post War

During 1950 Jim married Joan Kathleen Makin.

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 Albany Highway, Kelmscott, clerk; 1954 - 1980 at 829 South West highway, Byford, Assistant Secretary.