John William (Jack) Vance
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 4 Aug 1919 |
| Place of Birth | Katanning, Western Australia |
| Death | 16 Mar 2012, aged 92 |
| Place of Death | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 8 months |
| Description |
5'5" tall ; 151 lbs 68.492 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Farm hand |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Roleystone, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr John William Vance |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX13653 |
| Date of Enlistment | 28 May 1941 |
| Rank | Craftsman |
| Unit/Formation | 13th Australian Advanced Workshop |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 19 Jun 1945 ‒ 29 Jun 1945 |
| Transport Details | USAT Evangaline Brisbane to Morotai |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 28 Dec 1945 ‒ 4 Jan 1946 |
| Transport Details | SS Georgetown Victory Morotai to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
Prior to enlisting in the 2nd AIF on 28 May 1941, John had been a member of the 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment ww2's Motor Transport Company (W904) from 10 Aug 1940. On joining the 2nd AIF he was sent to the No. 1 Training Battalion at Northam, where on 10 Jun 1941 he was identified as a reinforcement for the 2/16th Battalion. However, on 9 Jul 1941 he was transferred back to Claremont to join the Australian Army Service Corps, and following basic training with them he was granted pre-embarkation leave from 4 to 10 Dec 1941.
On 13 Jan 1942 John was detached to the "Spencers Brook Supply Depot" near Northam. His next move came on 21 Mar 1942 when he was posted to the 1st Armoured Division's 2nd troop, 3rd Section. At the end of the month he entrained for 3 Military District in Victoria, but on 9 Apr 1942 was taken on strength of the 1st Armoured Division Section, Armoured Corps Ordnance Workshop in Sydney. On 24 Apr 1942 he was AWOL for 2 hours 40 minutes , for which he received 72 hours Confined to Barracks. On 23 Nov 1942 he was graded as a Group III Driver Motor Transport with the 1st Australian Armed Division's Workshops RAEME.
On 19 Jan 1943 he was posted back to WA, arriving on 30 Jan 1943 when he was granted 20 days home leave before being attached to the 2/96th Australian Light Aid Detachment from 11 May 1943. On 28 Jan 1944 he was again AWOL, this time from 1:15pm on 24 Jan until 5:45am on 25 Jan 1944. Awarded 5 days Confined to Barracks, he also forfeited a day's pay. On 12 Jun 1944 he was detached to the Vehicle Park Recovery unit before entraining for Queensland on 3 Nov 1944. On 5 Dec 1944 John was transferred again, this time from the Armoured Corps to the 13th Australian Advanced Workshops.
On 19 Jun 1945 he embarked in Brisbane on USAT Evangaline for Morotai, disembarking 10 days later on 29 Jun 1945. Following the conclusion of hostilities, on 28 Dec 1945 he was posted back to Brisbane and boarded the SS Georgetown Victory the same day, arriving in Brisbane on 4 Jan 1946. By 12 Feb 1946 he was back in Western Australia, and on 14 Feb 1946 he was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital at Swanbourne with Chronic Otitis Media. On 22 Feb 1946 he was reclassified as B2 - suitable for base job only, and on 13 Mar 1946 he was discharged from hospital. John spent another 8 months in base units before being discharged on 7 Nov 1946
Post War
On 26 Dec 1947 Jack married Theresa May Eileen Dempsey (1921 - 2008). They had four children.
Electoral Roll entries: 1954 - 1963 at 359 Verney road, East Graceville, Queensland, truck owner driver; 1968 - 1977 at 121 Mt Gravatt Capalaba Road, Wishart, Queensland, owner-driver;
Notes