The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Hunt
- First Name:
- John William
- Nick Name:
- Jack
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX16375
- Classification:
- Stretcher Bearer
- Company:
- Battalion Headquarters
- Enlisted:
- 8.09.1941
- DOB:
- 31.08.1918
- Place of Birth:
- York, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- William Thomas Hunt
- Mothers's Name:
- Amy Evelyn Hunt (nee Hubble)
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Horse Breaker
- Memorial:
- Kranji War Cemetery, Collective Grave, Plot 30, Row A, Grave 9-13, Age 23.
- Cause of Death:
- Killed during an enemy artillery barrage
- Place of Death:
- Buona Vista
- Date of Death:
- 15.02.1942
- Buried:
- In a common grave at map reference 784112.
General Description
John William Hunt known as Jack enlisted at Northam on 8 September 1941. He was Taken on Strength 5 Oct 1941 from Northam to Woodside Camp, SA for training – one of 67 men in this group. From Woodside they travelled to Darwin partly by train and the remainder by trucks. He was one of 13 reinforcements to join Battalion HQ – under 2/4th Commanding Officer Lt-Col Michael Anketell.
About New year 1942, the Battalion sailed from Darwin to Sydney then Fremantle before finally sailing to Singapore on 16 January 1941. He became a stretcher bearer under Sgt In Charge Stretcher Bearers, WX9238 Sgt Tom Pierson.
Jack lost his life on 15 Feb 1942, killed during an enemy artillery barrage at Buona Vista during the final days of Battle of Singapore. He was 23 years of age. Jack’s family did not learn of his death until being notified in 1944.
He was born 1918 at York to parents William Thomas Hunt and Amy Evelyn Hubble who married York in 1915.
Below: His enlistment details in 1936 for the Militia tell us he worked at a local Newsagency after leaving school. He joined the 10th Light Horse Regiment aged 18 years.
Jack’s name is inscribed on the York WW2 Honour Board which hangs in the Town Hall.
There is a brief story about York enlistments to 2/4th.
Below: Jack’s uncle John Alfred Hubble died 1929.
Below: Jack’s maternal grandmother Mary Ann Hubble died in 1930.
Below: Jack’s sister Rita aged 19 years died April 1935.
Below: We believe the following results refer to Jack Hunt from 2/4th, however cannot be 100% certain
Below: Jack’s sister Linda aged 31 years died Sep 1941. It was at about that time, Jack enlisted with AIF and joined the 2/4th MGB.
