John Thomas Madgwick
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 27 Jan 1893 |
| Place of Birth | Putney, England |
| Death | 30 Dec 1973, aged 80 |
| Place of Death | Greenmount, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 47 years, 4 months |
| Description | 5'8½" (1.74m) tall ; ; medium complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; tattoo both arms. |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Armitage road, Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Vera Helen Madgwick |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W243506 |
| Date of Enlistment | 21 Jun 1940 |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 5th Australian Lines of Communication Provost Company |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
During WW1 and beyond (total 7 years) John served as a Private with the Royal Sussex Regiment, a part of the Rifles Brigade under a variety of numbers - 1522; 1074; 559807; and 204339. Entered France on 8 Aug 1915.
On 21 Feb 1921, John had married Vera Ellen Wood (1901 - 1975) in St Peters Church, Hampstead, London. As a 31 year old farm labourer, John emigrated aboard the P & O ship SS Barrabool (13,148 tons) which left London on 17 Jul 1924, and arrived in Fremantle on 26 Aug 1924. Vera and their first born Edith Lillian arrived in Fremantle from London on the SS Beltana on 5 Aug 1925.
Electoral Roll entries: 1925 - 1931 at Group 69 Karridale, settler; 1936 - 1937 at 65 Willis street, Victoria Park, labourer; 1943 River road, Kelmscott, labourer. Daughter Pauline Elizabeth (1926 - 1942) aged 16, died in Kelmscott on 14 Dec 1942.
War Service
On 21 Jun 1940 John enlisted in the CMF and on 30 Oct 1940 he was posted to 11th Internment Camp Guard Company The unit changed its name several times, finally adopting 'M' Australian Garrison Company (Internment Camp) on 22 Mar 1941. With Japan's entry into the war all internees were moved to the eastern states during 1942. John was promoted Lance Sergeant on 2 Sep 1942 and soon after from 28 Nov until 7 Dec 1942 he was detached to the Kalgoorlie Detention centre.
On 10 Dec 1942 John was transferred to the 5th Australian Lines of Communication Provost Company and was posted to the Parkeston POW Camp. Soon after from 16 Dec 1942 to 6 Jan 1943 he attended a School at Melville Camp. On 26 Jun 1945 John was reclassified medically and thus on 20 Oct 1945 he was transferred to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for discharge on 23 Oct 1945.
Post War
A second daughter Yvonne Anne (1938 - 1949) died in Kelmscott on 2 Apr 1949 aged 11, and a third, Jeannette Valerie (1944 - 1957) died in Kelmscott on 2 Feb 1957 aged 13. Edith Lillian (1922 - 1988) and Kenneth (1931 - 2007). Ken spent more than 8 months in hospital around the time of his 21st birthday.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1958 Railway terrace, Kelmscott, labourer; 1968 - 1972 at Coongan avenue, Greenmount, retired.
Notes