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.
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
