Jack Cameron
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 5 Jul 1904 |
| Place of Birth | North Fremantle, Western Australia |
| Death | 12 Jan 1985 |
| Place of Death | Augusta, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 35 years, 3 months |
| Occupation | Truck driver |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Albany road, Kelmscott |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Enysworth Christian Prudence Cameron |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX1374 |
| Date of Enlistment | 7 Nov 1939 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 6th Australian Infantry Division Petrol Company |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 11 Jan 1940 ‒ 14 Feb 1940 |
| Transport Details | HMT Empress of Japan Melbourne to Kantara, Egypt |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 9 Apr 1941 ‒ 11 Apr 11941 |
| Transport Details | unknown Egypt to Greece |
| Journey Dates | 20 May 1941 ‒ 22 May 1941 |
| Transport Details | unknown Greece to Egypt |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 21 Nov 1941 ‒ 5 Dec 1941 |
| Transport Details | SS Oranje Suez to Fremantle via Sabang, Sumatra |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia (Medical) |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Africa Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 Greek Commemorative War Medal 1940-41 |
Pre War
War Service
The day after his enlistment he was posted to the 6th Australian Infantry Division Petrol Company at Northam, and on 28 Nov 1939 he entrained for Broadmeadows, Victoria.
On 11 Jan 1940 he embarked on HMT Empress of Japan (Code named U1) in Port Melbourne as part of convoy US 1, for Kantara in Egypt where he disembarked on 14 Feb 1940. During the voyage he had been admitted to the ship's hospital from 24 - 26 Jan 1940 suffering with Vaccina (cowpox). In Qastina Palestine on 12 Mar 1940 he was admitted to the Camp Dressing Station, before being released on 15 Mar 1940. On 1 & 2 Aug 1940 he was admitted to the C.R.S. Barbara, then on 30 Aug 1940 he was transferred to the Composite Company 6th Division AASC where he was allocated to the Ammunition Company. However, on 16 Nov 1940 he was returned to the Petrol Company and on 28 Nov 1940 he was graded as Group III Driver Motor Transport 1st class. From 15 - 25 Dec 1940 he was attached to the 19th Brigade before transferring to it on 19 Mar 1941.
On 9 Apr 1941 he embarked on the RMS Cameronia for Greece from Egypt, returning to Egypt from Kalamata in Greece on the 27 Apr 1941 aboard HMS Glengyle, disembarking on 29 Apr 1941. He was transferred to the Depot Battalion on 10 Jul 1941 where on 27 Jul 1941 he was classified as temporarily unfit for service, but deemed likely to be fit within 6 months. On 23 Jul 1941 he had been admitted to 2/1st Australian General Hospital as "epileptic for observation". On 30 Jul 1941 he was discharged from hospital, with his problem labelled as 'nocturnal epilepsy'. From 8 - 15 August he returned to 2/1st Australian General Hospital for further observation.
His journey back to Australia from Suez was via Sabang an island of the northern tip of Sumatra. He boarded a hospital ship, the SS Oranje in Suez. They sailed on 21 Nov 1941, called at Sabang on 2 December, and Jack disembarked in Fremantle on 6 Dec 1941[1] and was granted 10 days leave before being sent to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot on 16 Dec 1941 at Naval Base. On 15 Jan 1942 he was released to the Returnees Depot before being granted leave again from 15 - 22 Jan 1942, this was then extended to 20 Feb 1942 pending discharge. Discharged 20 Feb 1942 on medical grounds