Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From 'Sitrep Over!', December 2021

Official Journal of the Royal South Australia Regiment

SX1323 WO1 JOHN GEORGE PERCIVAL, MBE

British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) 1945 to 1946

RSM Percival marched into the 65th Battalion on the day it was formed. The War Diary notes that RSM Percival and his batman embarked on the SS WILLIAM H. POINT in November bound for Morotai.

Morotai

The transit of Morotai allowed the Brigade to catch its breath away from the distractions of Balikpapan in order to complete manning, conduct specialist training and generally prepare for its role in the British Commonwealth Occupation Force of Japan (BCOF). The first priority for the RSM was the conduct of an NCO’s promotion course.

Japan

The Force sailed in February 1946 and disembarked at Kure, Japan. Initially, the 65th was spread over several locations before occupying the purpose built “Vasey Barracks” at Fukuyama. The Battalion allotted company areas of responsibility in Hiroshima Prefecture, Honshu, which the Battalion ultimately became fully responsible for.

Considering his experience and reputation RSM Percival was an ideal choice to assist in the development of a newly raised infantry battalion. Unfortunately in March his service was interrupted through hospitalisation for several weeks resulting in his medical downgrading and departure from 65th Battalion in May 1946. (It is more than likely that this hospitalisation was due to a painful condition requiring a laminectomy, an operation to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. This belief is based on his duration in hospital, brief period on return to duty, need for further recovery in a holding unit and the entry in his Regimental Record of Service stating he had a scar “Laminectomy near lumbar region”.

His next posting was RSM Headquarters, British Commonwealth, Sub-area, Tokyo (Australian Army Component) (Bricomsat). The 65th War Diary notes “WOI PERCIVAL J. marched out to “BCOF Sub Base area TOKIO where he has been assigned the task of forming a HQ”.

Several days later Percival was charged with “conduct to the prejudice” and awarded a severe reprimand and five pounds fine by Commander, 34th Brigade. A medium offence but not one expected of an RSM. On the same day, 19 June 1946, he was temporarily transferred to “34 Inf. Bde Rec Camp (H/S)”. WOI Percival was then posted to 4th Military District (South Australia) and departed Kure in October arriving in Adelaide in No-vember 1946, just in time to be officially awarded the MBE.

There was a furphy that “he [Percival] had actually struck an Officer and had been charged and con-victed of the offence”. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever to support this contention. Although, it should come as no surprise that any RSM, especially one who served as such throughout the Second World War, would not take kindly to being removed as RSM of an infantry battalion despite medical opinion. There can be little doubt he would dispute the issue in robust terms. But the charge of striking an officer is much more serious offence which could attract a harsh penalty at court-martial, including detention and/or reduction in rank; but, more importantly, a severe limitation to any future career prospects.

Return to South Australia

Now in Adelaide for the next twelve months, WO1 Percival was attached to various 4MD instructional and inspection units until he regained his medical class 1 status.

WOI Percival was transferred to the Interim Army in July 1947 and retained his rank. But the following month, his enlistment in the Australian Regular Army resulted in his reduction in rank to staff sergeant, temporary WO2. By 1950, however, Percival had regained his health and rank of WOI and once again was appointed RSM 10th Infantry Battalion.

Return to 65th Battalion redesignated 1st Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment

Towards the end of 1951, 1RAR was warned for active service in Korea. Unfortunately the battalion was deficient an RSM as the previous RSM, WOI G. L. Hart, departed the unit in October.

Preparing a unit for combat operations is an arduous and exacting task. The unit needs to be reinforced to establishment war strength and those unfit or with insufficient service are posted out. 2RAR provided the bulk of the reinforcements. Individuals, platoons, companies and the battalion have to be trained and tested to operational standards, while embarkation administration: kit issues, leave, medical checks and inoculations have to be squeezed in wherever possible to meet the stipulated departure date.

Whatever caused the absence of an RSM during this critical period is not known but it is reasonable to assume that the transition from war to peace and consequential Army reorganisation had some influence. The Peace Treaty with Japan came into force in April 1952 while the Army continued to downsize, suffering re-duced resources in both manning and training. The Korean War commenced on 25 June 1950 and the Army needed time to reverse this “winding down” process. But regardless of all that, WOI Percival once again stepped up to the mark to assist his old unit in its struggle to comply with the operational requirement. He served in this capacity from 10 January 1952 to 6 March 1952 and was then replaced by RSM, WOI W. R. Smith on the eve of the Battalion’s embarkation for Korea.

There can be little doubt this short stint in 1RAR was a bitter/sweet experience for RSM Percival.

Return to South Australia 1952

After seeing 1RAR off to Korea, RSM Percival returned to RSM 10th Infantry Battalion. A year later John Percival married Ruth Elizabeth Adams and a daughter was born three years later.

RSM 10th Battalion 1952 to 1966

RSM Percival remained RSM 10th Battalion until September 1966. (Redesignated 1RSAR (Pentropic) on 1 July 1960 and redesignated 10th Battalion 1 July1965. He then acted as unit adjutant 10th Battalion until his retirement on 14 November 1967.

Forms of Service

Compulsory service two years, 24 Militia; 27th Battalion ten years, 2nd AIF; 3 November 1939 to 25 August 1947, and, ARA 24 August 1947 to retirement 14 November 1967.

Death

“Percival, John George, MBE – On October 24, At R.A.H. [Royal Adelaide Hospital] (result of an accident). John George, dearly loved husband of Ruth Percival of 18 Coorilla Avenue, Glenelg North, and adored father of Susan and Jeane, aged 60 years”. Advertiser, 25 October 1973.

Medical Summary

During his service, Percival was hospitalised on eight occasions for periods ranging from one week to eight weeks. Some of the ailments include; Hepatitis, Duodenal Ulcer, Malaria and a Laminectomy. He was medically downgraded to Class 2 in 1946, 1948 and 1964 and upgraded Class 1 in 1947 and 1951.

He appears to have “soldiered on”, possibly unwisely on some occasions, but, from an RSM’s point of view, whatever circumstances existed at the time determined the effort required, regardless of the consequences.

As he neared retirement, Percival’s health steadily deteriorated and his records note “Class 2 – Duodenal ulcer, fit for certain duties base area only, except for parades, prolonged walking, standing or bending.”

But even so, he reenlisted in July 1964 and in May 1966, served as Acting Adjutant 10RSAR on higher du-ties allowance as captain until August 1967 when he began compulsory retirement procedures in preparation for discharge on 14 November 1967.

Disciplinary Summary

Percival contravened military law on five occasions during his service. These could be categorised as minor to medium offences and were disposed of summarily:

a. 19 June 1946, Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline. Awarded – Severe Reprimand and £5 Fine.

b. 23 June 1948, AWOL two days. Awarded – Reprimand.

c. 30 June 1948, AWOL two days. Awarded – Severe Reprimand.

d. 28 February 1952, “AA19”. Awarded £10 Fine. No wording of any actual offence is mentioned and the reference “AA” or Army Act only applies on war service or active service. The “War” ended on 28 April 1952.

e. 15 May 1961, Conduct to the Prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline

(Carried alcoholic liquor in an AMF vehicle. Vehicle documentation incomplete). Awarded – Reprimand.

These offences cannot be further explained without knowledge of the circumstances. But suffice to say they were lapses of discipline not expected of a Senior Soldier. Even so these lapses do not appear to have affected the respect, distinction, high esteem in which Percival was held nor did they effect his career in any way. In fact, five offences in 27 years would only be of interest in the case of an RSM any way.

Honours and awards

MBE

MID

MSM

1939/45 STAR

AFRICA STAR

PACIFIC STAR

DEFENCE MEDAL

WAR MEDAL

AUSTRALIAN SERVICE MEDAL

GR VI CORONATION MEDAL

LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL

AUSTRALIAN SERVICE MEDAL, Japan clasp awarded posthumously.

Battle Honours 2nd/10th Australian Infantry Battalion

NORTH AFRICA, DEFENCE OF TOBRUK, THE SALIENT,

SOUTH-WEST PACIFIC 1942-1945

BUNA-GONA, CAPE ENTAIA-SIREMI CREEK, SANANANDA – CAPE KELLERTON, MILNE BAY, and LIBERATION OF AUSTRALIAN NEW GUINEA.

IMPRESSIONS

A British migrant who settled in Australia and who spent most of his adult life serving in both 2nd AIF and reserve infantry battalions raised in South Australia. The achievements of John George Percival accentuate the responsibilities of an infantry RSM in both war and peace.

Out of a career spanning 28 years he spent 23 years as the RSM of an infantry battalion and six of these as RSM 2/10th on Active Service. He remains a legendary figure in the Australian Army.

During his earlier compulsory military service and militia service in the 1930s, John showed considerable potential and developed an early passion for army life. In 1939 he enlisted in the 2nd AIF and served with distinction in iconic battles in the Middle East and the South 27 West Pacific Area being decorated with the MBE and MID.

During the span of the 2nd World War RSM Percival served with all five commanding officers of 2/10th Battalion. At war’s end he volunteered for service in BCOF and was posted as a founding member of the 65th Battalion.

Percival’s term as founding RSM of 65th Battalion ended with lengthy hospitalisation, medical downgrading and removal from 65th Battalion to serve in an administrative headquarters the likes of which he had previously avoided.

His old unit, of course, could ill afford to lose such an experienced warrior at such a critical time in the Battalion’s life. A few weeks later, on joining Bricomsat, disciplinary action caused Percival to be transferred to 34th Brigade Rest Camp before returning to South Australia in October 1946.

During his service, WOI Percival proved himself to be an exceptional RSM even when judged against the established high standards set by Australian infantry RSMs in general.

PRO PATRIA

He then served in 4MD units, regaining his health, but was reduced in rank as a con-sequence of enlisting in the ARA. In June 1950, he was again appointed as an RSM to 10th Battalion followed by RSM 1RSAR (Pentropic) before returning to 10th Battalion. During this period, he was also transferred to 1RAR to fill the vacancy of RSM before that unit was deployed for combat operations in Korea.

The bachelor RSM married in 1953 and a daughter was born in 1956.

WOI Percival suffered further bouts of ill health during his career followed by medical downgrading but on each occasion he returned to the required level of fitness as an infantry RSM. As one would expect of an RSM, WO1 Percival just “soldiered on” but, apparently, not always wisely or quietly. But despite these ill-ness and disciplinary issues his reputation and performance were never doubted or put in question.

RSM Percival was again placed on medical restrictions in 1966 resulting in his reposting from RSM to the Acting Adjutant 10th Battalion until his compulsory discharge date of November 1967.

At WO1 Percival’s Farewell Parade in Adelaide on 22 October 1967, his old commanding officer, now Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Thomas Daly, reviewed the Parade and presented WO1 Percival with the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. A rare event and just another example of the high esteem in which he was held.

While the early years are the result of my own research I also wish to acknowledge the work of Lt. Colonel Barry Caligari (Ret’d) C.O. 1st Bn. The Royal Australian Regt. (1981 -82) whose input of WO1 Percival’s post WW2 service is greatly appreciated.

Des Hawkins

Historical Officer - Royal South Australia Regiment Association Inc.