John Stephen Serventy
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 26 Dec 1913 |
| Place of Birth | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 24 Nov 1996, aged 82 |
| Place of Death | Tuart Hill, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 30 years, 5 months |
| Description | 5'8½" (1.74m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; dark brown hair |
| Occupation | Accountant |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | 34 Onslow road, Subiaco, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Ann Serventy |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | D382 & DX284 |
| Date of Enlistment | 2 Mar 1942 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit/Formation | Australian Army Canteen Service - New Guinea Detachment |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 2 May 1945 ‒ 7 May 1945 |
| Transport Details | HMT Duntroon Brisbane to Lae |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 13 Oct 1945 ‒ 26 Oct 1945 |
| Transport Details | HMT Katoomba Wewak to Brisbane |
| Journey Dates | 29 Oct 1945 ‒ 5 Nov 1945 |
| Transport Details | SS Stratheden Brisbane to Fremantle |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
Pre War
John had prior service with the 44th Battalion from 1930 - 1933. In 1936 he resided at 430 Hannan street, Kalgoorlie, miner; 1937 at 4 Onslow road, West Subiaco, student; 1943 at 34 Onslow road, Subiaco, soldier. During 1943 John married Laura Hilton in Perth. Laura was born 20 Jun 1922, and died in Subiaco on 6 Oct 1962, aged 40. He had a Diploma from the Federal Institute of Accountants.
War Service
John enlisted in the CMF on 3 Mar 1942 at Adelaide River, NT and later transferred to the 2nd AIF (also in Adelaide River, NT) on 22 May 1944. Followiing some basaic training he was sent to the 7th Military District HQ on 1 Jun 1942, where he was taken on strength by the NT Detachment, Australian Army Canteens Service. On the same day he was promoted Temporary Corporal, followed on 13 Jul 1942 with a promotion to Temporary Sergeant. On 5 Aug 1942 John was adnitted to the 119th Australian General Hospital with renal colic. On 13 Aug 1942 he was able to rejoin his unit before being transferred to the WA Detachment, Australian Army Canteens Service on 10 Oct 1942. John was allocated to the Internal Audit Staff on 22 Jul 1943 before enjoying 25 days leave in November. Soon after on 18 Dec 1943 John married Laura Hilton who at that time was serving with the Canteen Service. John's rank (Sergeant) was confirmed on 1 Apr 1944 and on 22 May he enlisted in the 2nd AIF. He was sent to audit canteen detachments in North West ports, embarking 4 Jun 1944 on the MV Koolinda in Fremantle. He returned withthe Koolimba, disembarking in Fremantle on 29 Jul 1944.
On 5 Apr 1945 John was transferred from the WA detachment of the Australian Army Canteen Service to the New Guinea detachment, embarking on HMT Duntroon in Brisbane on 2 May 1945, and disembarking at Lae on 7 May 1945. With hostilities at an end, on 13 Oct 1945 he embarked on HMT Katoomba at Wewak, New Guinea for Brisbane where he disembarked on 26 Oct 1945. He boarded SS Stratheden on 29 Oct 1945 for Fremantle, disembarking there on 5 November and he entered the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot to process his discharge. Before that could occur, on 23 Nov 1945 he was admitted to the 75th Australian Camp Hospital with dermatitis. His discharge followed on 3 Jan 1946.
Post War
At the time of his discharge he had one child over 16 years of age, and one under 16. John remarried in the 1960s to Marie Assunta Della-Vedova (1928-1997). Daughter ? Jennifer Hazel.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 8 Tyler street, Joondanna Heights, accountant; 1954 - 1963 at 10 Cullen street, Subiaco, clerk; 1968 - 1980 at 3 Howie street, Woodlands, supervisor.
Notes
Laura was born in Lancashire, England, and served in the AWAS as a Lance Corporal W45445. She enlisted on 12 Apr 1942, and was discharged 28 Feb 1944.