John Henry (Jack) O'Meagher
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 12 May 1917 |
| Place of Birth | Carlisle, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 23 years old |
| Description | 5'10½" (1.79m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; blue eyes ; dark hair ; 2nd finger on left hand missing |
| Occupation | Sawyer |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Sir James avenue, Harvey, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr John H O'Meagher |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX2775 |
| Date of Enlistment | 15 May 1940 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 2/2nd Forestry Company RAE |
| Post War Details | |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
Enlisted at Northam and allocated to the 2/2nd Forestry Company. From 21 - 28 May 1940 he was granted pre-embarkation leave, and on 31 May 1940 he embarked on SS Stratheden for Liverpool in the UK where they disembarked on 18 Jul 1940. While enroute he had been classified as an Axeman.
In the UK on 14 Feb 1941 he was reclassified as a Sawyer Trade Group I. On 5 Jul 1941 he was admitted to the Shotley Bridge Emergency Hospital with Dhobi Itch, and he rejoined his unit on 30 Jul 1941. He was admitted to the Hexham Emergency Hospital on 17 Oct 1941 with tonsillitis before being released back to his unit three days later. However, he was readmitted the following day i.e. 21 Oct 1941 and on 1 Nov 1941 he was transferred to the Homick Hall avenue Hospital. Health restored he rejoined his unit on 12 Nov 1941, and on 4 Feb 1942 he was again reclassified, this time as Sawer Trade Group II. John was appointed Lance Corporal on 8 May 1942, before being admitted to the Dumphries Infirmary with a head injury on 19 May 1942. He appears to have been hospitalised until 20 Jun 1942 when he was again taken on strength by his unit.
On 17 Jul 1943 John married Lillian Joyce in the UK. At the time Lillian was a serving member of the British forces.
On 11 Oct 1944 he embarked on the SS Aconcagua in Lae, Papua New Guinea, and disembarked on 15 Oct 1944 at Torokina on Bougainville having arrived there late the previous day. He was to remain on Bougainville until 26 Jul 1945 when he embarked on an unknown ship for Newcastle in NSW, disembarking there on 1 Aug 1945. On discharge John gave his home address as Karragullen before being discharged on 8 Sep 1945.
Post War
Notes
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