Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Thomas DURKIN and Lucy Victoria nee McCARTNEY.

His parents predeceased him.  Survived by his brothers Henry, Thomas(AIF), Albert and sisters Florence Adcock and Violet Nelson

His brother Leslie William Durkin, AIF 2/29  Battalion was killed in Singapore 1942.

Private John Durkin was (posthumously) awarded the Commendation for Gallantry for actions following capture by the Imperial Japanese Army in early March 1942 until his execution as a result of an escape attempt on 14 August 1945. Private Durkin laboured on the Burma-Thailand Railway and in mid-July 1945 escaped from Songkurai Camp for several days before his recapture. Private Durkin was suffering from the effects of malaria, dysentery and malnutrition when he left his work party and escaped into the jungle so as not to be a burden on his fellow POWs who were also in poor condition. - ^{Courtesy Defence Honours and Awards} 

Report on his file concerning his treatment and death -

On or about the third week in July 1945 at Sun Kri Camp which is 294 kls up the Thailand Jungle Railway. I was one of many witnesses to an atrocity on an A.I.F. Private.

This man was very sick at the time he was being worked very hard doing sixteen hours a day.  One morning whilst going to work Pte. DURKIN was found to be missing.  A party of Japs was sent out to find him.  It was six days later before he was found.  He was taken away.   Where we don't know, the following day he as brought back and tied like a monkey to the Guards House for three weeks.  He was subjected to beatings and kickings day and night.  It was two days before the war finished that he was led away from the camp while we were at work.  That was the last we saw of him.   We never saw what happened to him but from what we did hear and it all fits in, the Japs that took him away made him dig his own grave.  Tied him up again then killed him with Bayonets.  We never saw this happen but from details given we know it to be true.