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208822 Sig. John William Read Australian Army 6th Australian Division Signals from:Frankston, Victoria, Australia Jack Read joined the Australian Army in Albert Park, Victoria in October 1939. I was told that Jack was a signaler, and was on Crete when the Germans parachuted in. The story is that he kept sending messages until the Germans bashed him with rifle butts. His daughter (my grandmother) said that Jack was promoted to Corporal and given Sergeant a few times, but had a bad temper and kept being ‘busted’ back to private.
I have been told stories that Jack had a wooden leg after the war, but I don't have much to verify it. He was separated from his wife after the war, and took to drinking heavily, perhaps this is why. As such, his family never spoke of him, and we didn't even know his real name until I found his service record.
His service record has the following information:
- Born in Norfolk, England 1909.
- Enlisted October 1939 at Albert Park, Victoria
- Disembarked Aug 07, 1940 Gourock, Scotland.
- Nov 14, 1940 sent to Liverpool.
- Dec 26, 1940 Graded Group 2 Operator.
- Mar 20, 1941 made SGT.
- Mar 10, 1941 embarked M.E. For service in Greece.
- Jun 06, 1941 Reported missing in Greece.
- Jul 08, 1941 'previously reported "missing" now reported 'missing believed prisoner of war'.
- Oct 01, 1941 (Casualty Section) officially reported prisoner of war. Place of detention: Stalag 18A.
- Apr 08, 1942 now interned Stalag 8B Overseas Casualty List 494/ 9426.
- Feb 24 1944 Embarked UK for return to Aust per SS 'Nestor'
- May 16 1944 Disembarked Melbourne.
According to his service record, he was classed as medically unfit, repat case, for the following reasons:
1. internal derangement of knee joint (left?) leg
2. anxiety state
This information is all I have on my great grandfather, so if anyone can give any information on him I would be very appreciative.
I have a photo of him from his service record if anyone is interested please contact me.
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