KENTISH, Richard James
| Service Number: | SX14981 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 October 1941, Wayville, SA |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/1st Docks Operating Company |
| Born: | Hamley Bridge, SA, 7 October 1921 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Adelaide High School |
| Occupation: | Clerk |
| Died: | Cerebral hemorrhage, Adelaide, 27 November 1968, aged 47 years |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Victor Harbor WW2 Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 23 Oct 1941: | Involvement Sergeant, SX14981 | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Oct 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Sergeant, SX14981 | |
| 23 Oct 1941: | Enlisted Private, SX14981, Wayville, SA | |
| 8 Mar 1944: | Promoted Corporal | |
| 1 Jun 1945: | Promoted Sergeant | |
| 5 Jun 1945: | Embarked Private, SX14981, 2nd/1st Docks Operating Company, Embarked USS Dwight Moody at Morotai for service at Borneo | |
| 31 Jan 1946: | Discharged Sergeant, SX14981 | |
| 31 Jan 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Sergeant, SX14981 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by VWM Australia
By Peter Kentish
Jim was born in SA town of Hamley Bridge and went to school at Colonel Light Gardens Primary where a school report stated "Such a ready little helper, always a good careful worker, conduct excellent. Jimmie is a clever child, all his work is neat and careful. James has done very good all year. He is a neat and careful little boy." He then attended Adelaide Boys High School.
He enlisted for service at Victor Harbour, South Australia, where he was a clerk working for Goldsborough Mort. It is believed he had training in Victoria at 3rd Military District (MD) after being transferred from 4th MD. He saw service at Darwin, Hollandia, Morotai and North West Borneo. In times of illness when serving in the Islands he would often accept medications from mates as opposed to seeking direct medical assistance.
The trauma of military service was great and when returning to civilian life he was suffered nightmares. He would avoid any discussions of the war years. The service was ultimately given as contributing to his premature death aged 47. He participated in the yearly ANZAC marches in Adelaide.
He married in 1949 to Grace Taylor who had served in RAAF during WWII. They had 3 children; Richard John, Peter James and May Elizabeth.
To supplement his income he worked at RSL club in Adelaide tending the bar. He was very active in the SA Swimming Association and Chrysler Swimming Club.
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