James Brian McGurk
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 18 Dec 1917 |
| Place of Birth | Laverton, Western Australia |
| Death | 26 Nov 1993, aged 75 |
| Place of Death | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 26 years old |
| Description |
5'9" (1.75m) tall ; 162lbs 73.482 kg ; medium complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; scars on left knee and left ankle. |
| Occupation | Fitter & Welder |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | St Mary's, New South Wales |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Neil McGurk |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 138794 |
| Date of Enlistment | 17 Dec 1943 |
| Rank | Leading Aircraftman |
| Unit/Formation | HQ Eastern Area RAAF |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
Attended Perth Technical College for three years
Electoral Roll entry: 1943 at Western road, St Marys, NSW, blacksmith.
War Service
James enlisted in the RAAF at the No. 2 RAAF Recruiting Centre at Woolloomooloo, Sydney on 17 Dec 1943 as a Trainee Technical Group V. He would have begun his service with a short Basic Drill Course, and on 30 Jan 1944 he was transferred to a holding unit, No. 2 Embarkation Depot RAAF. They transferred him on 18 Feb 1944 to No. 4 School of Technical Training RAAF on North Terrace in Adelaide, and at the completion of his 12 week course he was remustered on 18 Jun 1944 as a Fitter General, and on 1 Jul 1944 he was posted to No. 2 Aircraft Depot RAAF.
James was posted to a holding unit No. 3 Personnel Depot RAAF on 8 Sep 1944 and three weeks later on 30 September he was posted to No. 1 Reserve Personnel Pool RAAF for allocation to a unit. On 8 Dec 1944 James was posted to No. 6 Medical Rehabilitation Unit RAAF at Mt Spec near Townsville. His records are not clear on whether he was a patient or on staff. He remained with them until 13 Apr 1945 when he was transferred to No. 22 Repair & Salvage Unit RAAF which was then located at Cape Glouster on New Britain.
Following the end of hostilities, on 30 Oct 1945 James was transferred to No. 81 Fighter Wing RAAF and he volunteered to serve a further two years with the Interim Air Force. On 22 Dec 1945 he was transferred to the newly formed No. 481 Squadron RAAF a maintenance unit in Labuan, North Borneo and remained with them until 19 Jan 1947. The Squadron remained in Japan until after James was posted to a staff position at RAAF Base Pearce on 19 Feb 1947. A year later on 9 Feb 1948 James' time in the RAAF ended with his discharge.
Post War
During 1950 James married Antoinette Mary Kargotich. Antoinette died on 3 Mar 2009, aged 92 in Mt Nasura.
Electoral Roll entries: 1954 at Eleventh avenue, Armadale; 1958 - 1980 at 71 South West highway, Armadale, fitter.
Notes