Ivan Farac
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 20 Oct 1920 |
| Place of Birth | Pupnat, Korcula Island, Yugoslvia (now Croatia) |
| Death | 19 Jun 1998, aged 77 |
| Place of Death | Lane Cove, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Description | 5'9" (1.75m) tall ; ; Medium complexion ; brow eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Stonemason |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Byford, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Marko Farac |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W61911 & WX39613 |
| Date of Enlistment | 29 May 1943 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 12th Australian Employment Company |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
On 15 Nov 1937 Ivan, aged 17, arrived in Fremantle from Genoa Italy aboard the SS Romolo intending to reside at Boulder.
War Service
Ivan was originally a member of the militia, with Army Number W61911. Ivan began his full time service on 20 Jul 1942, and on 25 July was transferred to the 12th Australian Labour Company before being detached on 21 Aug 1942 to the Harvey based training depot, returning to his parent unit on 18 Jan 1943. On 24 Feb 1943 Ivan transferred to the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion on Rottnest Island where on 29 May 1943 he enlisted in the 2nd AIF. On 12 Jun 1943 he was charged with having been AWOL from 10:00am until 11:15am on 8 Jun 1943, for which he was Admonished.
On 23 Jun 1943 Ivan was transferred to the 4th Australian Infantry Battalion (Australian Rifles Regiment) although it was not until 19 Jul 1943 that he was physically taken on strength by them. On 21 Sep 1943 he embarked on HMT Nieuw Amsterdam in Fremantle for Port Melbourne where he disembarked on 26 Sep 1943. On 3 Nov 1943 Ivan was charged with having been AWOL from 11:59pm 16 Oct 1943 until 6:30am 18 Oct 1943; and from 6:15am on 24 Oct 1943 until 6:15am 2 Nov 1943. He was fined £3 and forfeited 11 days' pay. On 17 Nov 1943 he appeared before a District Court Martial, charged with Desertion (AWOL from 11:59pm 13 Nov 1943 until 11:00pm 14 Nov 1943. He was found Not Gulty of Desertion, but guilty of being AWOL, and was sentenced to 14 days detention. Having been in detention for three days awaiting trial, he forfeited 18 days pay.
On 10 Dec 1943 Ivan transferred from the 4th Australian Infantry Battalion (Australian Rifles Regiment) to the 3rd Australian Employment Company and on 25 Jan 1944 he was granted LWOP until 7:30am on 26 Apr 1944. From 12 - 14 Mar 1945 Ivan received treatment from the 12th Australian Camp Hospital for an infected, ingrown toenail on his left foot. On 14 Jan 1946 Ivan was charged with Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline while on detachment to the 2nd Australian Base Ammunition Depot . He was fined £3 ($6). On 12 Feb 1946 Ivan was transferred to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for leave and re-allocation. However, it would appear that he was returned to Sydney where he was granted his discharge on 12 Jun 1946.
Post War
On 13 Sep 1947 Ivan married Yvonne Emma Louisa Francis in St Thomas's Church, North Sydney. At the time he was a stonemason living at 38 Campbell street, Sydney. The were to have three children. Yvonne died 16 Jul 1996 in Lane Cove.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 240 Pacific highway, Artarmon, NSW, stonemason, 1954 - 1980 at 688 Mowbray road, Lane Cove, NSW;
Notes
During the period 1939 - 1945 some unit names changed more than once. In the case of Australian Employment Companies they were also known as Works Companies, Labour Companies, Labour Units, Labour Corps. For sake of consistency I have adopted the term Employment Company. The role they played did not change with title. They were established to ensure that the Australian Defence Force had a large force of soldiers dedicated to essential labouring tasks, providing the physical labour needed to maintain the war effort and support the fighting forces.
Of the total of 39 Companies, 11 were part or fully manned by non British citizens known then as 'aliens'. These alien companies were not issued with arms. The 2nd Company was based in New South Wales.