Ivan Farac

Ivan Farac

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	Rman 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	2nd 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 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 Ivan was enlisted in the 2nd AIF. On 12 Jun 1943 he was charged with having been AWOL from 10:00am until 11:15 am on 8 Jun 1943 - Admonished.

during his service with the 4th Australian Infantry Battalion, including a Court Martial dated 17 Nov 1943

Ivan enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 29 May 1943 while stationed on Rottnest Island.

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 General 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 Base Ammunition Depot . He was fined £3 ($6)

during his service with the 4th Australian Infantry Battalion, including a Court Martial dated 17 Nov 1943. He had enlisted on Rottnest Island, and was discharged on 12 Jun 1946 in Sydney, so obviously the Court Martial did not terminate his service.

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.