ROWE, John Francis
| Service Numbers: | SX25270, S21232 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 27 September 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 20 April 1922 |
| Home Town: | Norwood (SA), South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Confectionery Labourer |
| Died: | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 13 February 1969, aged 46 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia Cremated at Centennial Park |
| Memorials: | City of Kensington & Norwood Honour Roll World War II Book and Case |
World War 2 Service
| 27 Sep 1941: | Involvement Lance Corporal, SX25270 | |
|---|---|---|
| 27 Sep 1941: | Involvement Lance Corporal, S21232 | |
| 27 Sep 1941: | Enlisted Kensington, SA | |
| 27 Sep 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Lance Corporal, SX25270 | |
| 15 Jan 1946: | Discharged |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
Lance Corporal John Francis Rowe (Service No. SX25270)
27th Australian Infantry Battalion / 5th Australian Works Company, A.I.F.
Born: 20 April 1922 – Adelaide, South Australia
Died: 13 February 1969 – Adelaide, South Australia (aged 46)
Burial: Cremated at Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, South Australia
Early Life
John Francis Rowe was born on 20 April 1922 in Adelaide, South Australia, the son of Charles Valentine Rowe (1888–1957) and Myrtle Theresa Josephine Attenborough (1889–1956).
He grew up at 7 Cleve Street, Norwood, where his father worked in local trades. John attended local schools and later became employed as a confectionery labourer before enlisting for military service.
A devout Catholic, John was part of a close-knit Norwood family, known for its long association with Adelaide's eastern suburbs.
World War II Service
John volunteered for service in the Australian Military Forces during the early years of World War II.
Timeline of Service
27 September 1941 – Enlisted at Kensington, South Australia, aged 19 years 5 months.
Recorded occupation: Confectionery worker.
Height: 5 ft 7½ in, fair complexion, brown eyes, brown hair.
Religion: Roman Catholic.
Next of kin: Mrs Myrtle Rowe (mother), 7 Cleve Street, Norwood.
30 June 1942 – Passed second medical examination at Adelaide; found "Fit for Class I."
19 August 1942 – Re-enlisted "in the field" at Northern Territory, formally transferring to the A.I.F. for overseas service.
Assigned to the 27th Battalion (South Australian Regiment).
Service Number issued: SX25270
(Previously held temporary number S.21232 for militia service.)
1942–1943 – Served in Darwin, Northern Territory, during the height of Japanese air raids.
Hospitalised for short periods due to tropical sores on both legs; later returned to duty.
19 August 1942 – 1944 – Transferred to the 5th Australian Works Company, responsible for engineering and logistics duties, including road, depot, and camp construction across the Northern Territory and later New Guinea operations.
1944 – Transferred between logistics commands:
25 April 1944 – Moved to New South Wales Line of Communications Area.
July 1944 – Classified "B1 – ankle inadequacy", reflecting lingering leg injury from earlier service.
August 1944 – Placed on holding strength, 1st Australian Base Depot Personnel.
Service in Bougainville and New Guinea:
Embarked for the islands in late 1944, with operational records confirming service at Bougainville.
This period involved labouring and defensive works under tropical conditions supporting the Allied advance.
9 May 1945 – Attended medical review at 103 AGH (Aust. General Hospital), Lae, New Guinea.
10 December 1945 – Returned to South Australia for discharge processing.
15 January 1946 – Honorably discharged from the Australian Army at Wayville, South Australia, holding rank of Lance Corporal.
Total effective service: 4 years, 91 days, including 1 year, 153 days active service outside Australia.
Awarded War Badge No. 919179, and entitled to the Pacific Star, War Medal 1939–45, and Australia Service Medal 1939–45.
Post-War Life
Following his discharge, John returned to Norwood and resumed civilian work.
On 9 March 1946, his engagement to Thelma Coad of Gumeracha was announced in The Advertiser newspaper. The couple married later that year and lived in the Norwood district.
Death and Burial
John Francis Rowe passed away in Adelaide on 13 February 1969, aged only 46 years, and was cremated at Centennial Park Cemetery on 14 February 1969.
He was survived by his wife Thelma (née Coad) and extended family.
His parents, Charles and Myrtle Rowe, are interred together in Centennial Park Catholic Section A, Path AW, Site 609A.
Summary
Lance Corporal John Francis Rowe (SX25270) exemplified the quiet courage of South Australia's citizen soldiers. Enlisting at nineteen, he served across Australia's northern defences and later in New Guinea and Bougainville, enduring harsh tropical conditions in the service of his country.
His contribution forms part of the proud legacy of the 27th Battalion (South Australian Regiment) and the 5th Australian Works Company.
"Faithful to duty – He served his King and Country with honour."
Sources
National Archives of Australia – Service Record: NAA: B883, SX25270
Australian Army Service and Casualty Forms, 1941–1946
Oath of Enlistment and Attestation Papers – Kensington, SA (27 Sep 1941); Northern Territory (19 Aug 1942)
Proceedings for Discharge, 15 Jan 1946 – Adelaide, SA
Centennial Park Cemetery Register, 1969
The Advertiser (Adelaide) – Engagement Notice, 9 Mar 1946
Australian War Memorial – WWII Nominal Roll
Biography by Trevor Pyatt 24/10/2025
Click images to start slideshow.