MCKERN, Reginald
| Service Numbers: | N319325, NX132628 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 May 1942, Mobilized. |
| Last Rank: | Sapper |
| Last Unit: | Royal Australian Engineers |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales Australia , 16 March 1920 |
| Home Town: | Balmoral, Mosman, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Sydney Technical High School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Commercial Artist and Signwriter |
| Died: | Nursing Home, Bath, Somerset, England, 23 July 2002, aged 82 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Haycombe Cemetery and Crematorium, Bath, England |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 14 May 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, N319325, Mobilized. | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Jun 1942: | Transferred Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sapper, 57th Field Park Company | |
| 1 Oct 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX132628 | |
| 1 Oct 1942: | Transferred Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sapper, Royal Australian Engineers, NX132628. | |
| 30 Sep 1944: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX132628 | |
| 30 Sep 1944: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sapper, NX132628, 2 AUST BASE STORE. Medically Unfit (Vision) He had enlisted with a glass eye. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Maurice Kissane
Reginald McKern was born in Sydney's inner west at Petersham as per attached 1920 Birth Registration Record. His parents were Norman and Vera McKern (nee Martin).
He lost his left eye during a work accident when he was a fifteen year old engineering apprentice. He subsequently work as a signwriter but aspired to be an Actor. Reginald used Leo Mckern as his stage name.
Reginald aka Leo was mobilized for militia service in mid 1942. His medical status was class two because of his glass eye. However he was enlisted then later transfered to the Royal Australian Engineers.
Leo as he called himself was ineligible for overseas service because of his vision. SPR McKern RAE was discharged on 30 Sep 1944 after the army decided that it no longer needed a one eyed Sapper.
Victory was beginning to appear on the horizon. For Paris had been liberated by then. Likewise there were victories in the Pacific, as the fighting moved forward.
Leo McKern went on to became a stage, screen and T.V. actor. He is best known for his iconic portrayal as "Rumpole of the Bailey" on BBC TV.
The one eyed Sapper subsequently distinquished himself in the performing arts. He became an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 1983 New Years Honours.
Leo McKern died shortly after being admitted to a U.K. Nursing home at the age of 82 years 0n 23 July 2002.
He perfected his acting skills in the Royal Australian Engineers, where he played the role of a Sapper with two functional eyes.
Leo received the British War Medal plus ASM 1939-1945, for his war time role.
Reference links provided plus his wikipedia entry.
His MyHeritage McKern Family Records were cited.
Click images to start slideshow.