Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John Leonard Duffield.
John (Jack) was born in Bordertown on the 31st December 1908, the youngest son of farmer Francis (Frank) and Agnes (nee Sherwood) and one of four boys He later became active in community events when the family moved to Angaston in such events as the local cycle race held in April of 1937 where John took on the role of both starter and timekeeper. Just prior to their 30th birthdays he married Elva Jean, only daughter of Mrs Annie Rice, in the Angaston Congregational Church in June of 1938. Elva’s father, Levi was deceased so her uncle, Mr T. Viney gave her away. The local paper, the Leader described Elva’s outfit as ‘an ensemble of powder blue wool romaine, with navy hat, shoes and gloves‘ and that John’s best man was Mr Steve Johnson. The two were later to enlist together on July 2nd 1940 being allocated consecutive enlistment numbers, John SX7499, Stephen SX7500 and their other close friend, Hartley Gerlach, was the third of the trio, becoming SX7501. The young couple had a son, Robert and daughter, Josephine before WWII intervened.
John, Steve and Hartley worked at the Angaston Fruitgrowers Co-operative where the executive and staff farewelled them in July, prior to leaving to begin their A.I.F. training. The Board Chairman, Mr G. W. Chinner wished the best of luck and a safe and speedy return as did his son Private Ron Chinner, who had already enlisted and was present with Private Ken Waters.
Bob, Steve’s only brother was already serving overseas when aged 24, Steve was one of seven Angaston ‘Boys’ who were farewelled at a packed Angaston Institute. Jack Duffield, Steve Johnson, Ron Chinner, Eric Teague, Hartley Gerlach, Geo. Langridge and Colin Weber were led in and congratulated on their enlistment. At the conclusion of the festivities, each soldier was presented with an inscribed gold pencil, plus gifts from the Coop and Glee Club. In the patriotic speeches that followed, Councillor Ninnes praised the “excellent attendance as a fitting honour for their boys who were going to win victory for the nation, with freedom of speech, action and thought.” He hoped they would all soon be back from a victorious campaign. He explained that Pte. Duffield, whose brother had applied for service with the R.A. A.F., came to Angaston some years ago and had won a high place in their esteem. Rather prophetically, the RSL Representative claimed that “Hitler would soon probably endorse Hindenburg's opinion of the Australians as the men most to be feared.”
Mr D. Farmer, for Angaston Co-op. Packing House, publicly acknowledge the past services of Steve, Jack, Hartley and Ron. It had been no surprise that they answered the call, and he had no doubt they would worthily acquit themselves on the other side. To each of the men mentioned he handed a wallet as gift from the firm and the staff with their best wishes. Mr Farmer also presented a gift to each of the other soldiers. Additionally, Steve and John were handed gifts from the Glee Club. They with the other ten singers, were being made life members of the Club.
In his absence, Elva was an active supporter of the Cheer Up Appeals and other fundraisers to support those serving overseas. Little more than a year after he enlisted, Elva was notified that John had been wounded in action on August 3rd, 1941 while fighting with the garrison at Tobruk. In John Glenn’s book, Tobruk to Tarakan recounts that “Anxious eyes peered towards the posts as shells burst right around the front. The 2/48th had suffered casualties as they waited; Lance-Corporal G. Richardson and Private R.B. Humphrys had been killed, and Private J.L. Duffield and Private L.O Samuel had been wounded.” John was extremely lucky. He had been wounded with a gunshot wound to the head but survived to hear the next month of the arrival his baby daughter.
Mid-February 1942 now Corporal Duffield, an original of the 9th Battalion, was one of four to return to Australia for ‘special instructional work.’ He was not able to be present at Steve Johnson’s wedding as groomsman, but his wife, Elva was Edna’s matron of honour. Elva had been doing her bit of war work by helping with the fruit harvest up River, but got a few days' off for the great event. Each time John was on leave, the newspaper reported his arrival and his new promotional position as Sergeant in Angaston in 1943 and then in 1944 after active service in New Guinea. By that time he had contracted both dengue fever and malaria as well as ptomaine poisoning and the inevitable dysentry. While still serving away from Australia, young Robert was one of 26 children who started school at Angaston in 1944. In less than a year, Sergeant John Duffield was discharged on the 14th January 1945. He quickly immersed himself in the local community, including the Barossa Masonic Lodge, marching with fellow service people in the Adelaide Anzac Day march, brickmaking busy-bees to build the Angaston RSL, where he succeeded Steve as President in 1948. He was highly regarded as a strong family and community-minded man.
Along with his fellow 2/48th Battalion mates, they continued to remember their fellow soldier, Raymond Young, killed in Tobruk on May 1st 1941 Advertiser 1947 YOUNG—In loving remembrance of Raymond George, died In action May 1. Just a token, true and tender. Just to show we still remember. —Inserted by E. Klau and family. In memory of those of the 2/48 Bn., killed May 1, 1941,—Inserted by Jack Duffield, Ron Chinner, Steve Johnson, Hartley (Dick) Gerlach.
Post War, John bought land at Angaston on which he worked as well as doing seasonal work with the Angaston Fruit Growers. John also was involved in the Congregational Church and helping at Sunday School Picnics, (where Josephine won in the Kindergarten Girls’ Race in 1948), playing golf, presiding as President of the club, being on the grounds committee, being on the selection committee for the Angaston Vintage Queen candidate and on the executive of the Angaston RSL.
John died of a stroke on the 22nd October 1990, just prior to his 82nd birthday while on a working holiday in New Zealand. He was cremated at Salisbury and there is a commemorative plaque in his honour in Centennial Park.
As a tribute to his great grandfather, John’s great grandson, was given the same initials (J.L.) in his name (Jack Logan). On Anzac Day in 2020, young Jack as school leader, represented the local Waikerie Primary School to lay a wreath at the War Memorial where his mother also read the Ode of Remembrance. Great granddaughter, Loren and her mother made a personal wreath of plants from their own home, placing this on behalf of her school, Immanuel College. Both of these acts were part of remembering all those who served, but particularly their two great grandfathers, John Duffield and Jack French Wilsen. (Jack Wilsen was named by the nurses who delivered him as his mother abandoned him. He was always ashamed of the name ‘Jack’ as he felt it was only a nickname, not a proper name for those times. Regardless he proudly served in the Australian Airforce for five years from January 1941 to January 1946).
These third-generation descendants live the creed ‘We Will Remember Them’.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133 2/48th