John Davidson

John Davidson

Personal Information
Date of Birth	15 Mar 1919
Place of Birth	Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	23 years, 4 months
Description	5'6" (1.68m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair
Occupation	Barman
Religion	Roman Catholic
Address	Thomas street, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr William Davidson
Military Information
Reg Number	W20795 & WX29530
Date of Enlistment	6 Mar 1941 CMF ; 30 Jul 1942 2nd AIF
Rank	Gunner
Unit/Formation	2/3rd Australian Field Regiment
Post War Details

War Service

Prior to enlisting in the 2nd AIF, John had served on a part time basis from 27 Oct 1941 until 15 Jan 1942, and on a full time basis with the CMF from 16 Jan 1942 until 29 Jul 1942 allocated to the 3rd Australian Field Regiment. During this time he was detached to the Special Mobile Force from 28 Mar until 29 Apr 1942. On 18 Mar 1942 John was charged with being AWOL from 6:45am on 17 Mar 1941 until Midnight the same day. He was Admonished and forfeited a day's pay. On 13 Jul 1942 he was charged with being AWOL from 1:00am on 12 July until 6:45am on 13 July. Admonished again and forfeited 2 day's pay. Then on 2 Aug 1942 he was charged with Failing to appear at a place of parade for which he was fined 5/-, followed on 9 Aug 1942 with 'Being a Soldier acting as a Sentinel, sleeps at his post - another 5/- fine resulted. Meanwhile he had enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 30 Jul 1942.

On 8 Oct 1942 John was ill and was evacuated to the 13th Australian Field Ambulance, returning to his unit on 17 Oct 1942. From 29 Aug 1943 until 19 Sep 1943 John was detached to the RAA Signals base, before he was transferred to the 10th Australian Field Regiment and was entrained on 24 Sep 1943 for Greta in New South Wales, arriving there on 2 Oct 1943. On 10 Nov 1943 John was admitted to the 107th Australian Casualty Clearing Station in N.S.W. with Glycosuria. They passed John to the 102nd Australian General Hospital on 13 Nov 1943 and then on 2 Dec 1943 he was transferred to the 103rd Australian General Hospital where he was diagnosed wih mild Diabetes Mellitis.

On 21 December he was transferred again, this time to the Victorian based 115th Australian General Hospital, and on 4 Jan 1944 John to the 108th Australian General Hospital. His next move was to the South Australian based 121st Australian General Hospital on 6 Jan 1944 enroute to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot with Hammer Toes. On arrival in Western Australia on 13 Jan 1944 he was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital. Transferred again, to the 118th Australian General Hospital for treatment for Renal Glycosuria. John was medically reclassified on 23 Feb 1944 to 'D' Tentavive, unable to march in military boots for any distance greater than a mile. On 29 Feb 1944 John was transferred to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for reassignment, and on 22 Mar 1944 to the 5th Australian Garrison Battalion.

on 16 Jun 1944 John's medical classification was confirmed as B2. On 21 Apr 1944 he was charged with having been AWOL from 10:15pm on 20 Apr until 10:15pm on the 21st. Fined 20/- and forfeited a days pay. On 31 Aug 1944 he was charged with being AWOL from 10:00am 29 July until 10:00am on 31 Jul 1944 and for being improperly dressed at 10:50am on 23 Aug 1944.

John was one of those who chose to be involved in Malaria research and so on 8 Sep 1944 he was transferred to the 116th Australian General Hospital in Queensland. At some point he was admitted to the 2/1st Australian Convalescent Depot as on 23 Sep 1944 he transferred from them to the 2/2nd Australian General Hospital. On 13 Oct 1944 he was transferred to the Medical Research Unit at the 116th Australian General Hospital with Malaria TB. On 3 Nov 1944 John was transferred on paper from the 5th Garrison Battalion on Rottnest to the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion at Swanbourne. On 12 Jan 1945 he transferred to the 2/2nd Australian General Hospital and three days later he was released to the 2/1st Australian Convalescent Depot until 26 Feb 1945 when he returned to Western Australia. On 14 Mar 1945 he was back with the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion.

On 16 Aug 1945 John was charged with having, Without permission left his patrol, and did not return until 11:10pm on 15 August. Fined 40/-. On 27 Aug 1945 he was charged with having been AWOL from 11:00am 25 Aug until 10:30am on 27 Aug 1945. Fined 20/- and automatic forfeiture of 2 days pay. On 10 Nov 1945 John was awarded the Commander in Chiefs Card. He was AWOL again from 11:00am 3 Dec 1945 until midday on 5 Dec 1945. Fined 50/- and automatic forfeiture of 3 days pay.

On 8 Feb 1946 John was detached to the Northam detachment of the Marrinup Prisoner of War Camp (Camp No 16) until 15 Mar 1946 when his discharge was processed at the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot effective 20 Mar 1946