John Justin McCarthy
From Our Contribution
 Army ID photo | |
 RAAF ID photo | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 19 Jul 1923 |
| Place of Birth | Perth, Western Australia |
| Death | 26 Jan 1981, aged 57 |
| Place of Death | Scarborough, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 20 years, 8 months |
| Description |
5'11½" (1.82m) tall ; 166lbs 75.296 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; scars on left ear and left leg |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Bunbury road, Armadale Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Gerald Valentine Patrick McCarthy |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX29488 & 442042 |
| Date of Enlistment | 6 Aug 1942 (Army) 5 Apr 1944 (RAAF) |
| Rank | Lance Corporal / Leading Aircraftman |
| Unit/Formation | 5th Australian Motor Ambulance Convoy and No. 1 Aircraft Depot RAAF (Laverton)]] |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Medals |
War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
John was a student at the Christian Boy's College from 1935 until 1939, receiving the Junior Certificate in 1938
War Service
Prior to enlisting in the RAAF John had served in the Army. A member of the CMF, he was called up for full time service on 24 Apr 1942, and was posted to 5th Australian Motor Ambulance Convoy. On 6 Aug 1942 he transferred to the 2nd AIF, remaining with is unit. On 19 Oct 1942 he was admitted to 8th Australian Casualty Clearing Station who had him transferred to 118th Australian General Hospital on 23 Oct 1942. The next day he was released to 109th Australian Convalescent Depot where he remained until he returned to his unit on 17 Dec 1942. On 1 Jul 1943 John was appointed Lance Corporal, and on was discharged from the AIF on 4 Apr 1944 in order to enlist in the RAAF.
On 5 Apr 1944 John enlisted in the RAAF at the No. 4 RAAF Recruiting Centre, mustered as Air Crew V. The same day he was sent to No. 5 Initial Training School RAAF at Clontarf. On 3 Aug 1944 with inital training completed he was appointed as a Leading AIrcraftman, mustered as Air Crew II (P) and posted to No. 9 Elementary Flying Training School RAAF at Cunderdin to undertake the next stage of his training.
However, he was then sent on 28 Dec 1944 to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF in Subiaco, and on 29 Jan 1945 moved again to No. 4 Personnel Depot RAAF at Springbank. On 9 Feb 1945 he was posted to the Special Aircrew Camp at Renmark in South Australia, moving to Melbourne when he joined the No. 2 Transport & Movement Office RAAF on 19 Mar 1945.
On 2 Aug 1945 John was posted to No. 5 Personnel Depot RAAF in Perth and was discharged from the RAAF on 3 Aug 1945 at his onwn request as being surplus to present personnel requirements.
Post War
Married in Katanning's Catholic Church on 30 Jan 1960 to Helen May Harrison a 22 year old School Teacher. He was living at 18 Austral terrace in Katanning. They had a son Michael John, and two other children.
Electoral Roll entries 1949 at 12 Federal street, Narrogin, clerk; 1954 - 1958 at Kulja, grazier; 1968 - 1980 at 187 St Brigid's terrace, Doubleview, sales manager.
Notes