Francis Edwin (Ned) Thornton
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 10 Jan 1924 |
| Place of Birth | Westfield, Western Australia |
| Death | 20 Apr 2011 |
| Place of Death | Kedenup, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 17 years, 8 months |
| Description | 5'6½" (1.69m) tall ; ; fresh complexion ; blue-brown eyes ; brown hair ; scars on left knee & right shoulder |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Congregational |
| Address | 199 Hay street, East Perth |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Betty Joan Thornton |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | F3850 |
| Date of Enlistment | 10 Oct 1941 |
| Rank | Able Seaman |
| Ships Served On | |
| Ship Name | HMAS Kanimbla |
| Tour Dates | 30 Dec 1942 ‒ 18 Jun 1946 |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
War Service
On 10 Oct 1941, as an Ordinary Seaman, he entered HMAS Cerberus V (Fremantle Naval Reserve Training Depot) and following his training, on 24 Mar 1942 he was posted to HMAS Leeuwin, remaining with them unit he was posted to HMAS Kanimbla on 30 Dec 1942 as an Able Seaman. While on the Kanimbla he earned his Good Behaviour Badge on 10 Jan 1945, and had passed courses required for promotion to Leading Seaman. During 1942 Ned had married Betty Joan Pratley in Perth.
On 2 Feb 1943 the Kanimbla arrived in Sydney for conversion to a Landing Ship Infantry. As a member of her crew, Francis participated in landings at Hollandia in Dutch New Guinea, followed by landings at Morotai, Leyte Gulf, and Lingayen (Luzon Island). Following transport tasks in the New Guinea theatre of war Kanimbla returned to Sydney on 7 Mar 1945.
The Kanimbla returned to participate in the invasion of Brunei in June and the landings at Balikpapan in early July 1945. At the completion of hostilities, the Kanimbla was used to repatriate Australian servicemen, and return Dutch civilians to the East Indian islands.
Francis's service appears to have been exclusively on the Kanimbla apart from periods of leave until he rejoined HMAS Leeuwin in mid June 1946 to prepare for his demobilisation on 9 Jul 1946.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1958 - 1980 at 84 Ward street, Kalgoorlie, loco driver. Betty died 12 Nov 2012 aged 88 in Victoria Park. Son ?? Richard Paul Thornton??
Notes