John William Alexander
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 25 Feb 1910 |
| Place of Birth | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 10 Nov 1982, aged 72 |
| Place of Death | Mandurah, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 32 years, 2 months |
| Description | 5'9¾" (1.78m); fair complexion, grey eyes, fair hair tall ; ; fair complexion ; grey eyes ; fair hair |
| Occupation | Quarryman |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Fifth road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr. William John Alexander |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W62349 |
| Date of Enlistment | 24 Apr 1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | HQ 1st Australian Army |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 15 Oct 1942 ‒ 17 Oct 1942 |
| Transport Details | HMT 1850 Townsville to Port Moresby |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 14 Mar 1944 ‒ 17 Mar 1944 |
| Transport Details | SS Canberra Port Moresby to Townsville |
| 2nd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 11 Oct 1944 ‒ 14 Oct 1944 |
| Transport Details | SS Ormiston Cairns to Lae |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 29 Apr 1945 ‒ 3 May 1945 |
| Transport Details | HMT Katoomba Lae, New Guinea to Townsville |
| 3rd Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 29 Jun 1945 ‒ 5 Jul 1945 |
| Transport Details | HMT Taroona Brisbane to Lae, New Guinea |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 28 Sep 1945 ‒ 4 Oct 1945 |
| Transport Details | HMAS Kanimbla Lae, New Guinea to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia x 3 |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries: 1936 - 1943 Armadale, labourer;
War Service
John was called up for full time service on 18 May 1942 and on 21 May 1942 he was posted to the 5th Labour Company. On 17 Jun 1942 he was detached to ESB Werribee before being transported to HQ Queensland Line of Communication Area on 20 Sep 1942, and on 15 Oct 1942 he and his unit were embarked on HMT 1850 in Townsville for Port Moresby where they disembarked on 17 Oct 1942.
On 16 Jan 1943 he was transferred to HQ New Guinea Force and on 24 Apr 1943 he was evacuated to the 2/5th Australian General Hospital who treated him for arthritis until he was discharged to 1 ACRC on 25 May 1943. John returned to his unit on 27 May 1943 to find that he had been classified as Proficient on 1 May 1943 and thus had received a pay increase.
On 14 Mar 1944 he embarked on SS Canberra for Townsville on leave. Returning from leave he had been posted to Rear Details New Guinea Force. John was transferred on 28 Sep 1944 to HQ 1st Australian Army and on 11 Oct 1944 he embarked in Cairns on SS Ormiston for Lae, disembarking on 14 Oct 1944.
On 29 Apr 1945 John embarked on HMT Katoomba in Lae for Townsville where he disembarked on 3 May 1945, but on 29 June he was again Lae bound, this time on HMT Taroona with him disembarking at Lae on 5 Jul 1945. With the war over, on 28 Sep 1945 John was transferred to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot, returning to Brisbane aboard HMAS Kanimbla, disembarking on 4 Oct 1945. Ten days later on the 14th he had reached Perth where he was discharged on 3 Nov 1945.
Post War
John married Winifred Elizabeth Cull (1909 - ) on 26 Mar 1959.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 Armadale, labourer; 1963 - 1968 at 10 Fifth road, Armadale, labourer; 1972 - 1977 at 21 Fifth road, Armadale; 1980 Banksia terrace, South Yunderup, retired.
Notes
Alternate date of birth 25 Oct 1910.