The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Heffernan
First Name:
John Charles
Nick Name:
Plonk or Jack
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX6968
Company:
‘A’ Company, No 4 Platoon.
Enlisted:
30.07.1940
Discharged:
16.01.1947
DOB:
26.08.1908
Place of Birth:
Midland Junction, Western Australia
Father's Name:
Thomas Edward Hefferman
Mothers's Name:
Maria Vittoria Heffernan (nee Costa)
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Pre-war Occupation:
Milk Vendor and Water Borer
Singapore:
Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
Force:
‘ D ’ Force Thailand, S Battalion
Camps Thailand:
Tarsau, Kanu II , Kinsaiyok, Chungkai;
POW#:
8788
Return Details 1945:
Thailand-Singapore by aircraft; Singapore-Fremantle, HMT Highland Brigade

General Description

Back row L-R E. Preedy, J. Heffernan, J. Holt, Bluey Smith, Lin Powell, R Kelt, 2nd row - Tom Firns, H. Elkins,Scotty McEwan, Front row - Darkie Rennie, Unknown, R Newling, J. Quinn, Barney Doolan
Back row L-R E. Preedy, J. Heffernan, J. Holt, Bluey Smith, Lin Powell, R Kelt, 2nd row – Tom Firns, H. Elkins,Scotty McEwan, Front row – Darkie Rennie, Unknown, R Newling, J. Quinn, Barney Doolan.

 

Heffernan was with A Coy No. 4 Platoon

 

Jack Heffernan was with Don Force ‘S’ Battalion, initially sent to Tarsau then Konyu II to work at the Hellfire Pass Cutting, moved to Kinsaiyok and believed to be hospitalised at Chungkai.
Please read further about this Railway Force
Unfortunately we no have any further information about Hefferman’s movements other than he was recovered from Thailand when the war ended.
_________
John Charles Heffernan was born to Thomas Edward Heffernan and Maria Vittoria Costa who married 1902 Broken Hill, NSW.  Both Heffernan and Costa were from Yackandanah, Victoria.
John  ‘Jack” was one of five surviving children.  The family resided 29 Spring Park Road, Midland Junction.
His mother died 18 Apr 1932 at Midland Junction aged 56 years and his father 10 Aug 1969 Inglewood.  Both are buried Karrakatta.

 

In 1936 Jack’s younger brother Thomas  ‘Tom’  married Gladys McGregor – she is sister to 2/4th’s WX 12835 Jack McGregor .
The McGregor family are also residents of Midland.

 

In 1937 Electoral Roll John was living with father Thomas and sister Mary at 29 Spring Park Road, Midland.  John working as labourer.
Below:  neighbour Lillian Bryan  also from Spring Park Road, Midland Junction was killed in this accident, which would have been a devastating event for John, Lillian’s family and Heffernan family.

 

 

Below:  Heffernan is not personally involved, but is court witness for his mate Samuel Hancock hopefully, Hancock was grateful!

 

Jack was residing North Perth 1958 Electoral Roll, working as a labourer In 1963 he was gas worker residing Newcastle Street, North Perth.  1977 Labourer residing Beaufort Street, Perth.
It appears he never married.
John ‘Jack’ Heffernan died 14 April, 1991 aged 84 years.  He was buried Karrakatta Cemetery.

Please read about the boys from Midland.

Camp Locations:

  • Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Chungkai, 60k - Thailand
  • Kanu II, 152.30k - Thailand
  • Kinsaiyok Main, 170.2k - Thailand
  • Tarsau, Tha Sao 125k - Thailand
  • Kinsaiyok Jungle Camp No.1, 161.40km - Thailand
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