The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Aberle
- First Name:
- John Roughton
- Rank:
- Corporal
- Regimental #:
- WX239
- Company:
- ‘C’ Company
- Enlisted:
- 11.12.1940
- DOB:
- 3.12.1920
- Place of Birth:
- Perth, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Frederick John Aberle
- Mothers's Name:
- Margaret Rose Aberle
- Religion:
- Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Warehouseman
- Memorial:
- Epitaph, Singapore Memorial, Column 135, Age 21
- Cause of Death:
- Killed in Action
- Place of Death:
- Ulu Pandan
- Date of Death:
- 12.02.1942
- Buried:
- Where killed at map reference 758128 by Major A. Cough Party on 21.12.1942.
General Description
Aberle enlisted AIF 11 Dec 1940, later joined 2/4th’s ‘C’Coy 10 Platoon under CO Lt Wilson. Aberle was promoted to a Corporal of the same platoon.
John’s parents Frederick (Fred) Aberle and Margaret (Rose) Campbell married in Collie December 1915. In 1916 ‘Fred’ Aberle enlisted with 16th Btn WWI, served in France and returned home in about 1918. Fred Aberle was born in SA however the family moved to WA when the children were young.
John was the eldest son of a family of 5 children. Dora, Phillip (RAAF), Margaret (AMWAS) and Freddie. John attended Wesley College and the family lived in South Perth.
Fred Aberle was an accountant and was extensively involved with the RSL – South Perth, State Level and Australian conferences involving policies. He was involved with campaigns to have Anzac Day become a national holiday. Fred was active in business clubs, sports and stood for government elections.
John Aberle grew up in a home where there was much activity revolving around the RSL and his father’s commitments to this as well as the community. John enlisted a few days after he turned 19 years old (the minimum age at that time).
He was at school with Henry de Moulin who was also KIA Singapore. John would have also known of Gibson and Giese who were to die of illnesses as POWs and were former Wesley students.
Please read further Wesley College Students in 2/4th
John’s mother Rose died in early 1944, and probably did not learn of her oldest son’s death, although John had been presumed killed.
John Aberle was Killed in Action 12 February 1942 at Ulu Pandan, Singapore aged 21 years.
Please read further about Ulu Pandan.
Alf Cough’s Party found and buried his body on 21 Dec 1942.
