The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Shackleton
First Name:
James Harold
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX9252
Classification:
Driver
Company:
‘A’ Company
Enlisted:
30.10.1940
DOB:
12.05.1904
Place of Birth:
Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England
Father's Name:
Edward Shackleton
Mothers's Name:
Alma Shackleton
Religion:
Christian Scientist
Pre-war Occupation:
Truck Driver
Memorial:
Kranji War Cemetery, Plot 3, Row B, Grave 7, Age 38.
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi, Thompson Road (Caldecot Hill Estate Camp), River Valley Road Camp
Cause of Death:
Acute Bacillary Dysentery
Place of Death:
Regimental Aid Post, Bukit Timah
Date of Death:
6.09.1942
Buried:
A.I.F. Cemetery Changi, Grave No. 6

General Description

Shackleton asgerd 36 years enlisted AIF  30 Oct 1940, later joining 2/4th MGB’s ‘A’ Company, No. 6 Platoon as a Driver under Commanding Officers Lt Morrison and Lt Branson.  Also in the same Platoon was Ken Clifton.

Jim Shackleton died of bacillary dysentery 6 Sept 1942 at Singapore.  He was 38 years old.  His death left his wife Enid a widow with four sons.

Funeral service was conducted by Chaplain K.F.Saunders NX70157 who was attached to the 27th Australian Brigade. A Doctor Holmes planted a tree in this soldier’s memory.

Below record of James aged 22 years, his wife Enid and their young son on ‘Demosthenes’ travelling from London to Albany, 1926.

 

 

James Harold Shackleton sailed from Liverpool, England on 6 Nov 1926 ‘Demosthenes’ for Albany with his wife Enid and baby son, also named Harold.  Harold’s recorded occupation is salesman.

The family took up land at Kalgan River, developing an orchard. Jim and Enid were recorded living Kalgan River 1931 Electoral Role.

It is believed he and Clifton were mates, they enlisted on same day and joined ‘A’ Company as Drivers, as did Walter Evans WX9230.  Clifton, Evans and Shackleton were all English born and migrated to Australia, living in the Albany region.  They would have been considered ‘older’ than many of the young enlistments.  Had they not known each prior to enlistment, they certainly did after.

After the war, JIM Shackleton’s widow Enid married Ken Clifton WX9243 following his divorce from Myra Moir.

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Harold Shackleton

 

Jim and Enid had a family of four sons.  They settled at Kalgan River working their orchard according to 1931 Electoral Roll.

Camp Locations:

  • River Valley Road Camp - Singapore
  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Thomson Road (Caldecot Hill Estate Camp) - Singapore
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