Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John Connell was born in Melbourne VIC on 22 October 1913. His education at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology was interupted by military service in World War II, after which he qualified as an Engineer. He enlisted in the 2nd AIF and served in PNG in the 15th Australian Infrantry Brigade, attaining the rank of Major. 

John became one of Australia's leading structural engineers and established a civil engineering practice with offices in each state, Singapore, Hong Kong and London. His major projects included the Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne Underground Rail Loop and the She Tin Hospital in Hong Kong. 

John was also a director / board member of many organisations, including: Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria, Gas and Fuel Exploration Company, Overseas Project Corporation of Victoria, the Building Industry Congress, Zoological Board of Victoria, Werribee Park Corporation, Austin Hospital, Araluen Centre for the Mentally Handicapped, life governor of Ivanhoe Grammar School, and a member of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Melbourne. 

In 1980, John was awarded a Kernot Medal and in 1987 the Order of Australia for his service to the community and engineering.

A dedicated Freemason, he was initiated into the Francis Ormand Lodge in 1946 and went on to become a Grand Master. 

John had three children with his loving wife Merlyn Sharpe who he married in 1938. Affectionatly known as 'Pa' by his grandchildren and 'Old Pa' by his great grandchildren, John died in 2016 at the age of 103 surrounded by family.

His legacy lives on.  

^{Acknowledgement: much of this information was obtained from Kent Henderson's book the Masonic Grand Masters of Australia (first published in 1988 by Ian Drakeford Publishing, Bayswater, Vic Australia).}