James Gordon (Jock) Wheeler
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 7 Dec 1905 |
| Place of Birth | Elgin, Scotland |
| Death | 18 Jul 1987,aged 81 |
| Place of Death | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 36 years old |
| Description | ; grey eyes ; brown hair ; appendix scar |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Albany road, Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Jessie Wheeler |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX18304 |
| Date of Enlistment | 29 Dec 1941 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 1st Australian Tank Workshop Company |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 6 Sep 1942 ‒ 8 Oct 1942 |
| Transport Details | SS Coptic Fremantle to Egypt |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 24 Jan 1943 ‒ 18 Feb 1943 |
| Transport Details | HMT Queen Mary Port Tewfik to Fremantle |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
In 1932 James married Jessie Gordon. Electoral Roll entries: 1934 at Railway Dam, Williams, labourer; 1936 - 1943 River road, Kelmscott, labourer.
War Service
Jock enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 29 Dec 1941, and was sent to the Recruit Training Battalion at Northam on 5 Jan 1942 to prepare as a reinforcement for the 2/16th Australian Infantry Battalion. On 12 Jun 1942 he was detached to the Dalgite Force, which on 28 Mar 1942 became No. 1 Special Battalion AIF. He was detached to Special Duties at Dunreath (current Perth Airport) where there was a RAAF Base, from 12 to 24 Jun 1942. On 24 Jun 1942 Jock was transferreed to the No. 3 Special Detachment AIF guarding the Pearce airbase, before transfering to the No. 2 Detachment on 24 Jul 1942 on Rottnest.
On 7 Aug 1942 Jock was re-allocated to the 2/28th Battalion Reinforcements, and embarked on HMT P4 at Fremantle on 6 Sep 1942 as part of Convoy US 16 for the Middle East where they disembarked on 8 Oct 1942. On arrival they were sent to the 24th Australian Infantry Training Battalion to complete their training prior to joining the 2/28th Australian Infantry Battalion at Khassa Camp in Palestine on 1 Jan 1943, having missed the battle for El Alamein. On 24 Jan 1943 the battalion embarked on HMT Queen Mary at Port Tewfik for Australia, with Jock disembarking in Fremantle on 18 Feb 1943.
On 5 Apr 1943 Jock was admitted to the 37th Australian Camp Hospital for treatment for Asthma, returning to his unit on 10 April before entraining on 13 Apr 1943 for Adelaide and subsequently for Queensland. On 29 May 1943 he was admitted to the 2/2nd Australian General Hospital in Queensland with Asthma, with the result that his Medical Classification was changed by a Medical Board to "B - Medically fit for certain duties which require only restricted medical fitness." He was transferred to the 2/1st Australian Convalescent Depot on 23 Jun 1943 before being released to the 16th Australian Personnel Staging Camp on 7 Jul 1943. On 9 Jul 1943 he was transferred to the 35th Australian Employment Company where four days later, on 13 Jul 1943 he was admitted to the 5th Australian Camp Hospital at Jungara near Cairns, remaining with them until the 19th when he returned to his unit. On 17 Aug 1943 he was again admitted to the 5th Australian Camp Hospital until 22 Aug 1943 when he transferred to the 13th Australian Personnel Staging Camp.
On 9 Sep 1943 Jock was transferred to the 1st Australian Tank Workshop Company until 4 Feb 1944 when he was transferred to the 2/1st Australian Base Workshop. However, on 25 Jan 1944 he was sent to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for early discharge on medical grounds.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 - 1980 at 2884 Albany highway, Kelmscott, labourer.
Jock worked at the Canning Dam and was later foreman at the MWS Sewerage and Drainage Board's depot on the corner of Church St and Albany Highway in Kelmscott. Jessie died in Kelmscott on 28 Nov 1985 aged 81.
Notes