Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John William Theodor Christerson
John was born in Wallaroo on the 24th December, 1913 to John and Edith Maud Christerson. He was the third of four sons, Christian, Harry and Frederick, all of whom were educated at the local Kadina School. Typically, John enjoyed playing both football and cricket in the local competition. It appears his childhood had challenging times as his mother struggled to bring up the boys on her own and in coping with everyday life. When John was just 10 years old Edith was charged with drunkenness. Sadly, she died at Wallaroo in September of 1933, aged 58, just prior to John’s 20th birthday.
However, life became more positive when he became engaged to Aldeth Cock of Kadina in December of 1936. At that stage John was then working on a farm in Yorktown. The two had so much to look forward to. With the outbreak of WWII aged 26, John enlisted on the 4th July 1940 to become Private SX7791 in the newly forms 2/48th battalion.
Travelling on the ‘Stratheden’ John disembarked on 3rd January in the Middle East. Having lived on wholesome country food, it was perhaps inevitable that he suffered a bout of dysentery in April. John Glenn in his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’ described conditions at Dimra :“At 3:50 am on 1st May the men of the 2/48th stood-to to await the outcome of the battle which had raged all through the night. In thick mist, darkness, and bitter cold they snatched a quick breakfast of bully beef and hard biscuits.” The remainder of that day was chaotic, information scant, the men weary and under heavy fire and a sandstorm raged. John was killed in action that day; just 10 months after enlisting. His body was not recovered but his record states that he ‘was last seen at Tobruk’. He is remembered at the El Alamein Memorial but also on the Warooka Roll of Honour sub branch of Yorktown, which was formed at the end of the war. In memory of John, his youngest brother Otto Frederick (Fred) and wife Norma, named their first son John Frederick when he was born at Henley Private hospital on December 8th 1941.
It was not until January of 1946 that Aldeth received John’s diary, the only personal memento she had of her young husband. She did not remarry, living until she was 69 when she died on the 22nd February 1987. John continued to be remembered by his family and friends:
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Tuesday 20 May 1941, CHRISTERSON. —On the 1st of May (killed in action). Private John Christerson. 2nd A.I.F. abroad, dearly beloved husband of Aldeth, 6 Stepney street, Stepney. Aged 26 years. His duty nobly done.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Monday 26 May 1941, CHRISTERSON-—ln memory of my dear brother. Pte. John Christerson, 2nd A.I.F., killed in action on the 1st of May, eldest son late Mr. and Mrs. Christerson, Wallaroo. One of the best. —Remembered by his loving brother and sister-in-law. Fred and Norma.
Chronicle (Adelaide, SA: 1895 - 1954), Thursday 29 May 1941, CHRISTERSON. —In memory of my dear brother, Private John Christerson, 2nd A.I.F., killed in action on the 1st of May, eldest son late Mr. and Mrs. Christerson, Wallaroo. One of the best. —Remembered by his loving brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Norma.
Chronicle (Adelaide, SA: 1895 - 1954), Thursday 22 May 1941, CHRISTERSON. —On the 12th of May (killed in action), Private John Christerson, 2nd A.I.F., abroad, dearly beloved husband of Aldeth, 6 Stepney street, Stepney, aged 26 years. His duty nobly done.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Friday 1 May 1942, CHRISTENSON. —In loving memory of John, killed in action, May 1, 1941, at Tobruk. A dearer friend no one could find. A loving memory left behind. —Inserted by his friends. Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Verrall and family.
CHRISTERSON. —In loving memory of my loving brother John, killed in action abroad on May 1, 1941. Beneath the Cross of Sacrifice, Within a silent grave. His comrades laid Dim down to rest Among the honored brave. —Inserted by his loving brother Fred and sister-in-law Norma.
CHRISTERSON. —In loving memory of my husband, Pte. John Christerson, and late of 2/48th Batt., who was killed in action at Tobruk. on May 1. 1941. God must have a wonderful garden. For He always chooses the best. He plucked a rare and beautiful flower When He called dear John home to rest. —Ever remembered by his loving wife, Aldeth and Fred.
CHRISTERSON. —In loving memory of my dear brother John, late 2/48th Battalion, who was killed at Tobruk, May 1 1941. Beneath the cross of sacrifice. Within a silent grave. His comrades laid him down to rest Among the honored brave. —Ever remembered by brother Chris, Myrtle; and nieces and nephews.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Saturday 1 May 1943, CHRISTERSON, Pte. John. —Loving memories of my husband, who made the supreme sacrifice at Tobruk, on May 1, 1941. —Ever remembered by his wife. Aldeth and Fred.
CHRISTERSON—In loving memory of my dear friend John, killed in action. May 1, 1941. He died that we might live. —Ever remembered by Dawn.
CHRISTERSON. — Loving memory of brother John, killed Tobruk, May 1, 1941. Deep m my heart a memory Is kept, of a brother I loved and will never forget. — Inserted by loving brother Fred. New Guinea; sister-in-law Norma, Baby John.
CHRISTERSON—In loving memory of John, who made a supreme sacrifice In Tobruk. May 1, 1941. Memory is a golden chain that links us till we meet again. —Ever remembered by his loving sister-in-law, Rene, Art and boys.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Tuesday 2 May 1944, CHRISTERSON. —In loving memory of Pte. John, killed at Tobruk May 1, 1941. Just a token, tender and true, to say. dear John, we think of you. —Ever remembered by Rene, Art and boys.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Wednesday 1 May 1946, CHRISTERSON. —ln loving memory of my husband, Pte. John, 2/48 Btn-. Killed May 1, 1942 at Tobruk. He paid a supreme sacrifice. —Ever remembered by his wife Aldeth. nephew Fred, RAN.
CHRISTERSON. — In loving memory of Pte. John, 2/48 Btn. killed May 1, 1942 at Tobruk. -His smiling face and cheerful ways will always be remembered by his loving sister-in-law Rene, Art, boys.
CHRISTERSON. —A tribute of honor to our dear friend, John, killed May 1, at Tobruk. His duty nobly done. —Always remembered by his pals. Gwen and Daisy.
Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1931 - 1954), Thursday 1 May 1947, page 16 CHRISTERSON. —In loving memory of Pte. John Christerson, 2/48 Btn, killed on the 1st May, 1942. —Ever remembered by his wife Aldeth and nephew Fred.
Mail (Adelaide, SA: 1912 - 1954), Saturday 30 April 1949, page 26 CHRISTERSON. — In loving memory of my husband, Pte. J. W. T. Christerson, 2/48th Batt., killed 1st May, 1942, at Tobruk. Ever remembered by his wife, Aldeth, and nephew Fred.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th