John Francis Craghill

John Francis Craghill

Personal Information
Date of Birth	8 Jun 1925
Place of Birth	Byford, Western Australia
Death	29 Apr 2003, aged 78
Place of Death	Victoria Park, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	18 years, 1 month
Description	5'6" (1.68m) tall ; 115lbs 52.163 kg ; fair complexion ; green eyes ; brown hair ; scar on left thigh
Occupation	Farm hand
Religion	Church of England
Address	Oaklands road, Byford, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr Edward C. Craghill
Military Information
Reg Number	441350
Date of Enlistment	17 Jul 1943
Rank	Flight Sergeant
Unit/Formation	General Reconnaissance School RAAF
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia
Monument(s)	ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Byford WW2 Honour Roll
Medals	War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

In Feb 1931 John was a student at the Oakford Primary School, his father a settler. From 1938 until 1940 he attended the Bunbury High School, completing his Junor certificate.

War Service

John enrolled as a Cadet at No. 5 Cadet Wing ATC on 9 Apr 1942. On turning 18, he enlisted in the RAAF, mustered as an Airman, aircrew, on 17 Jul 1943 at No. 79 Squadron RAAF. On 17 Jul 1943 he was posted to No. 5 Initial Training School RAAF, before being appointed Leading Aircraftman on 11 Sep 1943 and then transferring on 16 Sep 1943 to No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School RAAF at Ballarat, Victoria to participate in the No. 43 Wireless Air Gunners course from 16 Sep 1943 until 29 Mar 1944. On 30 Mar 1944 he was remustered as a Trade Group II Gunner. Continuing his training, on 31 Mar 1944 he was posted to the Air Gunnery School RAAF at West Sale, Victoria, where he participated in No 43A Gunners course from 2 April until 11 May 1944 which resulted in John being promoted to Flight Sergeant and his remustering as an Wireless Operator (Air) on 12 May 1944, followed on 22 May 1944 with a posting to the General Reconnaissance School RAAF at Bairnsdale in Victoria.

However, on 19 Sep 1944 John made application to be discharged early to assist his parents, who were in poor health, with their 250 acre dairy farm that had 50 milking cows and 200 hens and chickens. This was supported by the Deputy Director of Manpower in Western Australia, and John was discharged on 12 Dec 1944 to resume his civilian occupation.

Post War

During 1950 John married Audrey Isobel Forsythe (1929 - 2018) who had followed John to Australia , arriving in Fremantle on 29 Apr 1950. They raised 2 daughters and a son.

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at Cumberland Farm, Oakford, farm hand; 1954 at Alcock street, Gosnells, farmer; 1958 at 376 Wharf street, Queens Park, storekeeper; 1968 at 10 Holmes street, Riverton, storeman; 1972 - 1980 at 139 Westminster street, East Victoria Park, clerk.