Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John Sydney “Jack” Koehne

21 May 1926 – 26 September 2014

Biography

John Sydney “Jack” Koehne was born on 21 May 1926 in Murray Bridge, South Australia, the son of Paul Daniel Koehne and Amanda Carolina Louisa (Promnitz) Koehne. He was raised in a Lutheran family and grew up in the Newstead area, residing at 55 Glynde Road.

Jack was educated locally and obtained a qualifying certificate and a junior technical certificate, reflecting an early aptitude for practical and technical work. Prior to enlistment, he was employed as a ticket writer with John Martin & Co. Ltd., a role requiring precision, steady workmanship, and artistic skill. He also had experience as a painter.

He was actively involved in his local Lutheran church community. A character reference written in May 1944 by Minister C. A. Zweck of Payneham noted that Jack had been known to him for several years as a Sunday School pupil and member of the congregation, describing him as honest, conscientious, and of good character, and recommending him for a position of trust.

At the age of 18, during the Second World War, Jack applied for enlistment in the Royal Australian Air Force on 31 May 1944 and was formally enlisted on 27 June 1944 at No. 5 Recruiting Centre, Adelaide. He successfully passed all trade, aptitude, and medical examinations and was accepted as a Technical Trainee.

Jack undertook specialised training at the No. 3 School of Technical Training in Ultimo, New South Wales, completing the No. 91 Instrument Repairers Course over a period of 16 weeks. He achieved a pass with a mark of 65.2% and was assessed as proficient in his trade.

As an Instrument Repairer, Jack’s duties involved the maintenance and repair of aircraft instruments—precision equipment essential to flight safety and operational effectiveness. He progressed to the rank of Leading Aircraftman (LAC) and served with a consistently high standard of conduct. His service record rated his character as Very Good, and he incurred no disciplinary offences.

Jack served until 20 February 1946, when he was honourably discharged at No. 4 Personnel Depot, Springbank, South Australia, as part of the post-war demobilisation process. He was awarded the War Medal 1939–1945 in recognition of his service.

At the time of his enlistment, Jack was described as 5 feet 7½ inches tall, weighing approximately 126 pounds, with brown hair, hazel eyes, and a medium complexion. He was medically classified as fit for full service (Class I).

Following his return to civilian life, Jack married Thora Elizabeth Seidel on 28 February 1949 at Zion Lutheran Church, Hectorville, South Australia. Together they established their home and raised a family.

Jack and Thora were the parents of four children:

Graeme John Koehne (born 1956), who later married Melinda
James Philip Koehne (born 1958)
Amanda Louise Koehne (1955–1955)
Victoria “Vicki” Louise Koehne (1963–1963)

They endured the profound loss of their daughters Amanda and Victoria, both of whom passed away shortly after birth.

Jack lived a long life in South Australia and passed away peacefully on 26 September 2014 at Hope Valley, aged 88 years. He was laid to rest at Golden Grove Cemetery alongside his beloved wife Thora.

He is remembered as a man of quiet integrity, technical skill, strong faith, and deep devotion to his family.

Sources

Civil Registration & Records

South Australian Birth Registration: John Sydney Koehne, 21 May 1926 (District Nairne, Book/Page 174A/17)
South Australian Marriage Registration: Koehne–Seidel, 28 Feb 1949 (Book/Page 532/1074)
South Australian Death Notice: The Advertiser, 30 Sep 2014
Military Records

National Archives of Australia (NAA): Service Record – John Sydney Koehne (Service No. 153217, Series A9301)
Australian WWII Nominal Roll, 1939–1945
Newspaper Notices

The Advertiser (Adelaide):
Birth Notices – Graeme John Koehne (6 Aug 1956)
Birth Notices – James Philip Koehne (10 Dec 1958)
Marriage Notice – Graeme Koehne & Melinda Parent (2 Mar 1996)
Centralian Advocate, 30 Sep 2014: Death and Funeral Notices for John Sydney Koehne
Cemetery Records

Golden Grove Cemetery, South Australia (Burial records for John Sydney Koehne and Thora Elizabeth Koehne)
Additional Records

South Australian Death Index: Amanda Louise Koehne (1955)
South Australian Death Index: Victoria Louise Koehne (1963)
RAAF enlistment application, medical examination, and character reference (C. A. Zweck, 7 May 1944)

Disclaimer

This biography has been compiled from a combination of official records, archival documents, cemetery data, and newspaper notices. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some details may be incomplete, subject to transcription variation, or derived from secondary sources. Dates, names, and relationships have been cross-referenced where possible; however, discrepancies may exist due to historical record limitations.

This document is intended for genealogical and memorial purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for certified civil or military records.

∼Death Notice -

KOEHNE, John Sydney (Jack)

Of Hope Valley. Passed away peacefully at the Hope Valley Lutheran Homes on 26 September 2014. Aged 88 years.

Beloved husband of the late Thora.

Much loved father and father-in-law of Graeme and Melinda, Jim and Fiona.

Loving grandpa of Willem and Leopold.

At peace. Reunited with Mum.

Sincere thanks to all who cared for Jack.

Funeral Notice -

KOEHNE, John Sydney (Jack)

The relatives and friends of Jack Koehne of Hope Valley are invited to attend his Funeral Service to be conducted in the Trinity Lutheran Church, 1215 Grand Junction Road, Hope Valley, on Saturday, 4 October 2014 at 10:00 a.m., followed by a committal service in the Golden Grove Cemetery.

Adelaide Hills Funerals (Kleemann Family), Lobethal.

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 9/04/2026