John Francis George Collins
From Our Contribution
Personal Information | |
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Date of Birth | 17 Apr 1920 |
Place of Birth | Kelmscott, Western Australia |
Age at Enlistment | 21 years, 9 months |
Description |
5'9½" (1.76m) tall ; 140lbs 63.503 kg ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; brown hair ; right forefinger missing a joint |
Occupation | Orchardist |
Religion | Church of England |
Address | River road, Kelmscott |
Military Information | |
Reg Number | 46364 |
Date of Enlistment | 29 Jan 1942 |
Rank | Leading Aircraftsman |
Post War Details | |
Pre War
After leaving school after the 7th Standard, he spent three years living with his uncle Mr W.L. Ullyott who was the Postmaster at Bendering. There he gained experience working a telephone exchange.
War Service
Prior to joining the RAAF, John had served for 18 months in the CMF Western Command Signals. 29 Jan 1942 to No. 4 Recruiting Centre Perth 3 Mar 1942 to No. 4 School of Technical Training 26 Apr 1942 to No. 1 Engineering School where on 28 Jun 1942 he qualified as a Flight Rigger. As a result he was posted to No. 5 Elementary Flying Training School in Narromine, New South Wales on 30 Jun 1942.
John was then posted to No. 30 Squadron based at Richmond in New South Wales on 10 Aug 1942. The squadron was equipped with Bristol Beaufighters. A week after he arrived they moved to the Bohle River airstrip north of Townsville in Queensland. On 14 Sep 1942 the squadron moved to Ward's strip at Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea. on 1 July 1943 the squadron repositioned to Goodenough Island off the PNG south east coast, and then on 1 Dec 1943 to Kiriwina Airfield, on the largest of the Trobriand Islands north of Goodenough Island. On 20 Dec 1943 John was posted to No. 5 Personnel Depot in Perth. His medical records are not available, but given his history it would appear that his return home was driven by health reasons.
On 28 Jan 1944 John was sent to the No. 4 Convalescent Depot where he remained until he was posted to No 14 Squadron at Pearce on 29 May 1944.
discharged 11 Mar 1946
Post War
Notes
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