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Difference between revisions of "Andrew David Johnson"

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Revision as of 15:21, 21 November 2022

Andrew David Johnson
Johnson William & Andrew.jpg
BLSL PH 994 William & Andrew Johnson
Johnson Andrew David.jpg
Personal Information
Date of Birth 21 Feb 1910
Place of Birth Louden, Western Australia
Death 22 Jul 1988
Place of Death Gosnells, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment 30 years. 2 months
Description 5'7" (1.70m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; light brown hair ; Scar on left knee
Occupation Labourer
Religion Chuch of England
Address Seventh road, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin Mother , Mrs Laura Bishop
Military Information
Reg Number WX1894
Date of Enlistment 4 Mar 1940
Rank Private
Unit/Formation 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates 20 Apr 1940 ‒ 19 May 1940
Transport Details HMT Y3 Nevasa Fremantle to Kantara, Egypt
Transfers
Journey Dates 10 Apr 1941 ‒ 12 APr 1941
Transport Details SS Pennland Alexandria, Egypt to Pireaus, Greece
Journey Dates 25 Apr 1941 ‒ 26 Apr 1941
Transport Details SS Thurland Castle Megra, Greece to Suda, Crete
Return to Australia
Journey Dates 18 Jun 1945 ‒ 21 Sep 1945
Transport Details HMT J11 England to Sydney
Post War Details
Fate WIA 4 Jun 1941 Greece
POW 4 Jun 1941 Crete
Returned to Australia
External Monument(s) The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial Ballarat, Victoria
Medals 1939-45 Star
War Medal 1939-45
Australian Service Medal 1939-45
Greek Commemorative War Medal 1940-41



Pre War

War Service

Enlisted at Nicholson road, Subiaco on 4 Mar 1940 and was allocated to General Reinforcements at Northam Camp. On 3 Apr 1940 Andrew was posted to the 2/11th Australian Infantry Battalion, an on 8 Apr 1940 behan pre-embarkation leave, returning to the battalion on 15 Apr 1940. On 20 Apr 1940 , along with the rest of the battalion he boarded HMT Y3 Nevasa in Fremantle for Kantana in Egypt where they disembarked on 19 May 1940.


In Palestine the battalion completed its training, and saw action for the first time at Bardia on 5 Jan 1941. As part of the Allied advance into Italian-occupied Libya, they fought at Tobruk on 21-22 Jan 1941, and they secured Derna airfield on 25 Jan 1941. The battalion was advancing to the south of Benghazi when the Italians surrendered on 7th February.


In early April 1941 the 2/11th were deployed from Alexandria on 10th April to assist in the defence of Greece from the invading German forces who had come to retrieve the situation from their Italian allies. Arriving at Athens on 12th April aboard SS Pennland, they moved to Larissa where they were to hold the line. However, by the 18th, the Allied forces were unable to hold the Germans back, and the 2/11th withdrew from its initial positions west of Kalabaka and remained on the move until it occupied rearguard positions at Brallos Pass a week later. It fought a fighting retreat through the pass, slowing the Germans there on 24 April before continuing its withdrawal to Megara on the coast. They were evacuated during the night of 25 Apr 1941 aboard SS Thurland Castle to Crete and deployed to defend Retimo airfield. Following 10 days of heavy fighting many of the battalion were forced to surrender at the end of May, Andrew included.


Notified as Missing on 4 Jun 1941, he wasn't officially confirmed as being a POW until 14 Jul 1941 when it was noted that he had been wounded in action (left knee) prior to his capture. Reported to have been captured on 28 May 1941, he was evacuated from Crete on 1 Jun 1941 to the Greek Mainland where he was treated during July 1941 at a POAW Camp hospital facility. Given the POW Number 92296 in Apr 1943 he was interned in Stalag VIII B by April 1943. We lack details of his movements between April 1943 and his arrival by plane in the UK on 11 May 1945 and lodgement with the 1st AIF Transit Camp UK the same day.

Johnson Andrew David 1.jpg


On 18 Jun 1945 Andrew boarded HMT J11 in England for Sydney where he disembarked on 24 Jul 1945


Discharged 31 Aug 1945

Post War

During 1945 Andrew married Nellie Hilda Lowe.

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1980 at 42 Seventh road, Armadale, road board employee;

Notes


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