Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Ken was born at Tumby Bay on 12 Aug 1918 to Camille and William (Bill) Jameson.  His dad was a “commission agent” (mainly wheat) and a part time professional fisherman.  Ken attended the Tumby Bay School until grade 10, but because of the Depression was forced to leave school and find local employ.

After leaving school he became a clerk for Robert Hoole, who was also a “commission agent” in Tumby Bay: he worked in this employ for 3 years earning the princely sum of 12/6 per week.  He then decided to try farm work, but did not enjoy it, so returned to clerking, this time with Robert Preece, yet another “commission agent” in Tumby.  He remained in this employ until he joined the Army.

After completing recruit training at Warradale, he moved to Woodside and then Gerang (Vic).  He was then posted to Kogarah (NSW) and transferred from Infantry to Artillery: later that year (1942) he was posted to 149 Battery, 101 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment – 40mm Bofors. 

Enroute to Darwin he returned to Tumby and married Jean Munro on 26 Dec 42 (who was also a service person) before continuing his journey.  He remained in Darwin for 3 years.  In 1945 he was posted back to Frenchs Forrest (NSW) and became an Army wharf labourer, because of the “wharfies” strike, loading munitions for the next 6 months.

At the end of this stint, he transferred to the British Borneo Civil Affairs Unit and was sent back to Adelaide for on movement to Borneo.  In typical Army “hurry up and wait” manner, this transfer was cancelled and he became the Canteen Manager at Daw Park, a position that he held until discharge.  In true Kenny fashion he would not accept anything other than perfect for the canteen: by changing the locks to the canteen, and upsetting a number of officers, including the matron of the hospital, the canteen was able to turn a profit for the first time.

After discharge Kenny returned to Tumby Bay with his wife and became a professional fisherman, but the returns from this profession were not adequate to support a wife and 2 children (Dianne and Beverly), so in 1948 he took a position with Geddes & Coy.  He remained with this company for 27 years, before he retired.

Unfortunately after his retirement, Ken’s wife became ill and after a long battle, passed away on 5 Jun 89.  She is buried in the Tumby Bay cemetery.

Ken has always been a keen sportsman.  For those that know him, there is not much of “the little fella”, but what there is, is muscle and heart.  He was a member of the Tumby Footy team that won 5 finals in a row after the war.  He also played cricket and tennis and in later years bowls.

Ken had two major interests after retirement - fishing and his pigeons.  He finally gave fishing away and presented his boat to Axel Stenross museum in Port Lincoln, where it is currently on display.  He continues to take a very active interest in his pigeons.

Ken still resides in the family house at Tumby Bay and remains an active member of the RSL.

Post script: Ken died in 2013 and is buried in the Tumby Bay Cemetery beside his wife.