Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

STOKES John Lewis MB BS

1918-2008

John Lewis Stokes was born in Glenelg, SA, on 4th January 1918. He was the younger son of Dr Alfred Francis Stokes and Barbara, nee Jessop of Moseley Street, Glenelg. He was educated at St Peter’s College, Adelaide, and studied medicine the University of Adelaide, where he graduated MB BS in 1941. Stokes was a talented golfer and played intervarsity golf on a number of occasions with colleagues William D Ackland-Horman and Peter W Verco.

Stokes initially joined the AAMC on 6th August 1940, when he was still a medical student. However, he was not appointed until he finished his medical studies and then was appointed honorary captain in the AAMC on 22nd January 1942.  He was called up for full-time duty and promoted captain on 2nd March 1942. He served with the CMF from 2nd March 1942, attached to 6 Light FdAmb and then the Camp Hospital at Wayville, SA, until the 12th July 1942. He volunteered and transferred to 2/AIF on 12th August 1942. Stokes served at Milne Bay, PNG, with 2/4th FdAmb with various small postings, from 21st February 1943, until May 1944. During his time in Papua New Guinea, his father died, and Stokes was able to take a month’s compassionate leave in July 1943. After completing courses in May 1944, he was posted to Darwin, as MO to NT L of C area, from 22nd June 1944 until 15th September 1944. He was deployed to Morotai Island, Indonesia, on 27th May 1945, during this time he was posted to Z Special Unit from September to December 1945. He ceased to be allocated for special duties and returned to Australia from service outside the Australian Mandated Territory in December 1945. Returning to SA, he was briefly appointed as MO to the Discharge Department Holding Unit and then 105 AMH, where he was allocated several different duties and completed a refresher course before finally being transferred to the Reserve of Officers on 19th September 1946. 

Stokes married Marjorie Ellenor Hogg, elder daughter of Norman Hogg and Ada Mary, nee Sanocki of Footscray, VIC, at St Peter’s, Eastern Hill, VIC, on 26th November 1946. His brother, Robert, who had served with 2/27 Bn during the war, was his best man. He developed an interest in Occupational Medicine and, later, was a medical consultant with the Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service. John Lewis Stokes died on 27th September 2008. His wife Marjorie survived him, they did not appear to have any children.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2. 

Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD