John Francis (Jack) Cucel
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 22 Jun 1911 |
| Place of Birth | Kalgoorlie, Western Australia |
| Death | 8 Mar 1991, aged 79 |
| Place of Death | St James, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 29 years, 10 months |
| Description |
5' 11" (1.80m) tall ; 165lbs 74.843 kg ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; black hair |
| Occupation | Truck driver |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | William street, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Dorothy Helen Cucel |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX12326 |
| Date of Enlistment | 2 May 1941 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 2/5th Australian Field Ambulance |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 26 Sep 1941 ‒ 20 Oct 1941 |
| Transport Details | SS Marnix van Sint Aldegonde Fremantle to Egypt |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 11 Feb 1942 ‒ 16 Feb 1942 |
| Transport Details | HMT Nieuw Amsterdam Port Tewfik to Bombay |
| Journey Dates | 22 Feb 1942 ‒ 28 Feb 1942 |
| Transport Details | SS Takliwa Bombay to Adelaide |
| 2nd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 28 Aug 1942 ‒ 7 Sep 1942 |
| Transport Details | MV Anshun ?? to Milne Bay, PNG |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 9 Mar 1943 ‒ 13 Mar 1943 |
| Transport Details | SS Karsik Fall River, PNG to Townsville |
| Post War Details | |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries: 1936 at Ninth avenue, Armadale, collar maker; 1943 William street, Armadale, bus driver.
During 1939 John married Dorothy Helen Dadds (1910 - 1968).
War Service
John enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 2 May 1941 and on 5 May was posted to the AASC Reinforcements. On 20 May he was sent tot eh Physical & Recreational Training School at Guildford. A week later he was hospitalised for a day with a bruised heel. In June 1941 he wasa granted four days leave before being posted to the 21 Group AASC Reinforcements on 14 Aug 1941. From 21 to 29 Aug 1941 he was granted pre-embarkation leave and then on 26 Sep 1941 in Fremantle he embarked on SS Marnix van Sint Aldegonde part of Convoy US 12B, destined for Egypt where John disembarked on 20 Oct 1941.
On 4 Dec 1941 John was posted to the 2/5th Australian Field Ambulance. On 11 Feb 1942 John's unit embarked on HMT Nieuw Amsterdam for Bombay in India, where they disembarked on 16 Feb 1942. On 22 February they embarked on SS Takliwa for Adelaide via Fremantle. They disembarked in Adelaide on 28 Mar 1942.
John was AWOL in Bombay from 9:00am 21 Mar 1942 until 9:00am 22 Mar 1942. Fined 18 days pay and automatic forfeiture of another days pay. He was again AWOL this time from midnight 29 Apr until 9:00pm on 9 May 1942. Awarded 28 days detention and automatic forfeiture of another 10 days pay. On 3 Aug 1942 John was admitted to the 11th Australian Casualty Clearing Station from 3 - 13 Aug 1942 for treatment for Fibrositis before being released to the 2/4th Australian Field Ambulance until he could rejoin his unit which had departed for New Guinea.
On 28 Aug 1942 John embarked on MV Anshun for New Guinea, disembarking in Milne Bay on 7 Sep 1942 and rejoining his unit the same day. On 17 Nov 1942 John was tansferred to Advanced Depot Medical Stores Milne Force. On 4 Dec 1942 John was admitted to the 2/5th Australian Field Ambulance with BT Malaria, and on 12 Dec 1942 he was charged with 'Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline' for which he was required to do 7 days CB (Confined to Barracks). On 23 Feb 1943 he was again charged with 'Conduct, etc ' and received the same punishment. John was released to duty on 25 Feb 1943.
On 9 Mar 1943 John embarked at Fall River, New Guinea on SS Karsik, and disembarked in Townsville on 13 Mar 1943. He was transferred to the 16th Australian Personnel Staging Camp on 9 Jul 1943. On 14 Jul 1943 he had been transferred to the 13th Australian Personnel Staging Camp and on 29 Jul 1943 to the Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion (Jungle Warfare)'s 2nd Battalion at Canungra. In September he was granted 24 days leave and on his return joined the 4th Battalion at Canungra. on 15 Feb 1944 John was posted to the 124th Australian General Transport Company, now medically classified as 'B2'. On 31 Oct 1944 he was detached to the Western Command Bulk Issue Petrol and Oil Depot at Maddington before being detached to the 101st Depot Cash Office on 12 Dec 1944. On 19 Oct 1945 he was sent to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot to be discharged on 22 Oct 1945.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1954 William street, Armadale, bus driver; 1958 - 1980 at 6 Boundary road St James, armament assistant
Notes