The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Alderton
- First Name:
- John
- Nick Name:
- Plonk, Jack
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX8599
- Company:
- 'A' Company
- Enlisted:
- 18.10.1940
- Discharged:
- 7.12.1945
- DOB:
- 23.02.1911
- Place of Birth:
- Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- William Alderton
- Mothers's Name:
- Mary Elizabeth Alderton
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- French Polisher
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp Changi, Mount Pleasant Camp, Selarang Barracks Changi, Changi Gaol Camp, Pulau Blakang Mati, Kranji Camp Woodlands
- POW#:
- 3/6748
- Return Details 1945:
- Singapore-Darwin-Sydney, HMT Arawa, Sydney-Melbourne-Perth by troop train.
General Description
Recently a friend of John’s family contacted the website and indicated that he and his brother Bill Alderton were good friends of the correspondent’s father and that the 3 would often be found singing next to the piano. John is said to have had a fine voice, one song that can be remembered to be well sung by them was “Spaniards that Blight My Life” Sept 2018.
John Alderton – Adelaide
Jack remained in Singapore throughout the war staying at Mount Pleasant, Selarang Barracks, Changi Gaol, Pulau Blakang Mati and at the end of the war was recovered from Kanji Camp, Woodlands.
Please read further about Pulau Blakang Mati Camp, Singapore.
Jack’s parents William Jackson Alderton and Mary Elizabeth Owen married 1900 at Kalgoorlie. The couple had 3 sons and one daughter – Dorothy Helene, Robert ‘Bob’ Jackson, William ‘Bill’ Owen and ‘Jack’ or sometimes known as ‘Happy Jack’ to family.
Jack was residing in Kalgoorlie until about 1935 where he worked as a French Polisher. He then moved to the family home at 8 East Street, Maylands. After the war Jack returned to live here with his Mother.
In about 1956 William Owen Alderton married Dulcie Jean Wainwright and resided in Como. He died in 1984 aged 76 years. Robert ‘Bob’ Alderton died in Maylands in 1970 aged 68 years.
William Jackson Alderton became a train driver and the family resided in Kalgoorlie for many years until moving to 8 East Street, Maylands. It was here in 1937 that William died aged 69 years. Mary Alderton was to live a very long life, she died in 1976 aged 103 years – she was buried with her son Jack.
January 1929 – Dorothy’s wedding notice.
Notice of William ‘Scotty’ Alderton’s funeral 1937
Below: Jack sings at wedding 1940.
In 1952 came the shocking news of Jack’s death and detailed newspaper reporting of that time.
Jack was member of Maylands Swimming, Maylands Bowling Club, Maylands RSL, a Freemason and member of member of Furniture Trade Union.
Jack also continued his friendship with his 2/4th mates, and sometimes they were able to attend events where Jack was singing. His death was a terrible blow to them.
John ‘Jack’ passed away on May 20 1952 at Maylands. Perth
Camp Locations:
- Changi Gaol Camp - Singapore
- Kranji Camp Woodlands - Singapore
- Mount Pleasant Camp - Singapore
- Pulau Blakang Mat - Singapore ***
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
