John Francis (Jack) Cucel

John Francis (Jack) Cucel

Personal Information
Date of Birth	22 Jun 1911
Place of Birth	Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Death	8 Mar 1991, aged 79
Place of Death	St James, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	29 years, 10 months
Description	5' 11" (1.80m) tall ; 165lbs 74.843 kg ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; black hair
Occupation	Truck driver
Religion	Church of England
Address	William street, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Dorothy Helen Cucel
Military Information
Reg Number	WX12326
Date of Enlistment	2 May 1941
Rank	Driver
Unit/Formation	2/5th Australian Field Ambulance
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	26 Sep 1941 ‒ 20 Oct 1941
Transport Details	SS Marnix van Sint Aldegonde Fremantle to Egypt
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	11 Feb 1942 ‒ 16 Feb 1942
Transport Details	SS Nieuw Amsterdam Port Tewfik to Bombay
Journey Dates	22 Feb 1942 ‒ 28 Feb 1942
Transport Details	SS Takliwa Bombay to Adelaide
Post War Details

Pre War

Electoral Roll entries: 1936 at Ninth avenue, Armadale, collar maker; 1943 William street, Armadale, bus driver.

During 1939 John married Dorothy Helen Dadds (1910 - 1968).

War Service

John enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 2 May 1941 and on 5 May was posted to the AASC Reinforcements. On 20 May he was sent tot eh Physical & Recreational Training School at Guildford. A week later he was hospitalised for a day with a bruised heel. In June 1941 he wasa granted four days leave before being posted to the 21 Group AASC Reinforcements on 14 Aug 1941. From 21 to 29 Aug 1941 he was granted pre-embarkation leave and then on 26 Sep 1941 in Fremantle he embarked on SS Marnix van Sint Aldegonde part of Convoy US 12B, destined for Egypt where John disembarked on 20 Oct 1941.

On 4 Dec 1941 John was posted to the 2/5th Australian Field Ambulance. On 11 Feb 1942 John's unit embarked on HMT Nieuw Amsterdam for Bombay in India, where they disembarked on 16 Feb 1942. On 22 February they embarked on SS Takliwa for Adelaide via Fremantle. They disembarked in Adelaide on 28 Mar 1942.

John was AWOL in Bombay from 9:00am 21 Mar 1942 until 9:00am 22 Mar 1942. Fined 18 days pay and automatic forfeiture of another days pay. He was again AWOL this time from midnight 29 Apr until 9:00pm on 9 May 1942. Awarded 28 days detention and automatic forfeiture of another 10 days pay. On 3 Aug 1942 John was admitted to the 11th Australian Casualty Clearing Station from 3 - 13 Aug 1942 for treatment for Fibrositis before being released to the 2/4th Australian Field Ambulance until he could rejoin his unit which had departed for New Guinea. On 28 Aug 1942 John embarked on

NG 28/8/42 - 13/3/43 discharged 22 Oct 1945

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1954 William street, Armadale, bus driver; 1958 - 1980 at 6 Boundary road St James, armament assistant;