John Francis Lean

John Francis Lean

Personal Information
Date of Birth	25 Jun 1911
Place of Birth	Perth, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	29 years, 3 months
Occupation	Poultry farmer
Religion	Church of England
Address	Clarence road, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs. Emma Charlotte Lean
Military Information
Reg Number	W28690
Date of Enlistment	19 Sep 1940
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	110th Australian Base Hospital (Perth)
Post War Details
Medals	War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

War Service

John was taken on strength on 19 Sep 1940 and sent to the Northam training camp to undertake basic training. On 20 Nov 1940 he was detached to Harvey Internment Camp (Camp No 11) before being transferred on 4 Jun 1941 to the 110th Australian Base Hospital. He was detached the same day back to the Camp Dressing Station at Harvey. On 12 Jul 1941 John was charged with Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline by causing a disturbance in a public place i.e. the Dance Hall in Harvey on 11 Jul 1941. He was fined 10/- ($1).

On 27 Oct 1941 he rejoined his parent unit (110th Australian Base Hospital), and was the same day detached to the Camp Dressing Station at Karrakatta, rejoining the hospital on 9 Feb 1942. On the same day he was classified as a Nursing Orderly Trade Group III, and he was detached to the 8th Supply Personnel Company at Karrakatta. On 13 Apr he again returned to the hospital and was then detached to the 8th Supply Personnel Company 's Norseman detachment from 28 May until 17 Jul 1942. John was then detached to the Camp Dressing Station at Karrakatta where on 22 Jul 1942 he was charged with Drunkenness' at Karrakatta on 21 Jul 1942. Penalty was a fine of £5 ($6), equivalent to 15 - 20 days pay.

John rejoined the hospital on 18 Aug 1942 and the same day was sent to the Camp Dressing Station at Fortress Swanbourne. Here he was in trouble again, being charged on 21 Aug 1942 with being AWOL from 9:30pm 20 Sep 1942 to 8:20am 21 Sep 1942. For this he was awarded 14 days Confined to Barracks, and the forfeiture of a day's pay. He rejoined the hospital on 28 Sep 1942, but was detached again two days later on 30 Sep 1942 to the Western Command Bulk Issue Petrol and Oil Depot. On 12 Nov 1942 he was transferred to the 9th Advanced Ammunition Sub Depot, and then to the 26th Australian Employment Company on 20 Mar 1943.

On 8 Jun 1943 John was promoted Acting Corporal, before being evacuated to the 37th Australian Camp Hospital at Melville with nervous instability on 13 Sep 1943. On 22 Oct 1943 he was transferred (as a patient) to the 110th Australian Base Hospital with Psychoneurosis, On 26 Nov 1943 he was transferred to the 118th Australian General Hospital with severe Malaena. On 2 Dec 1943 he was transferred to the 110th Australian Base Hospital with Otitis Media. Finally on 15 Dec 1943 John was transferred to the Medical wing of the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for a Medical Board on 21 Dec 1943 which determined that John was no longer fit enough to remain in the Army and tha the should be discharged. His discharge then took place on 2 Jan 1944.