MCASKILL, John
| Service Numbers: | SX20650, S77347 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 12 July 1942, Puckapunyal, VIC |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Mechanical Equipment Company/ies |
| Born: | Clare, South Australia, Australia, 26 December 1914 |
| Home Town: | Eden Hills, Mitcham, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Clare School, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Funeral Director, Bore Driller |
| Died: | Cancer , Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia, 21 January 1979, aged 64 years |
| Cemetery: |
Alice Springs, Garden Cemetery, NT |
| Memorials: | Northern Territory Garden of Remembrance |
World War 2 Service
| 12 Jul 1942: | Involvement Sapper, SX20650 | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Jul 1942: | Involvement Sapper, S77347 | |
| 12 Jul 1942: | Enlisted Puckapunyal, VIC | |
| 12 Jul 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX20650, Mechanical Equipment Company/ies | |
| 25 Jan 1946: | Discharged | |
| 25 Jan 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX20650, Mechanical Equipment Company/ies |
Jack’s war service as told by his daughter Zeenee
Dad (Jack) went up to Alice Springs to work after he was offered a job by Bill Heffernan. He was later joined by his wife Sarah (Lena). Sarah travelled up on the Tea and Sugar train and they married that night. Jack joined up to fight in World War 2 with cousins and other relatives. He went to New Guinea and came back suffering from Malaria, Berri Berri and skin rashes. His young sons especially the younger one did not remember him as they were so young when he left. He suffered for many years with what we know is now called PTSD. He died young at 62 and it’s believed that his service in the jungles of New Guinea contributed to this. He was a strong man who gave a lot for his country including his time and his life with his family. As a family…we thank him for this.
Submitted 14 May 2026 by Catherine Florance
Toilet break in New Guinea Jungle
John was in New Guinea. To go to the toilet and to not get lost you would tie a rope around you. Whilst John was having a toilet break two Japanese soldiers jumped him. He had to fight them off. He was a tall strong man and survived that attack. He was stabbed in his hand and required medical help.
Submitted 25 April 2026 by Catherine Florance
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