Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born on the 26th November 1901, John, known as Jack was the older son of Michael and Elizabeth McElligott who lived in the suburb of Mitcham. He had an older sister, Mary and a younger brother, Michael. Their father Michael Snr worked as the foreman and part owner of the local Mitcham Quarries which provided stone for many of the homes in the area.
Coming from a strong Catholic family, the children attended the Mitcham Sisters of St. Joseph School. At the conclusion of each year, a well-rehearsed concert was held in the local Institute Hall. As a 12-year-old, Jack was presented with a Gold Medal awarded for ‘Good Conduct’. Two year later, Jack was a clearly spoken and honest young witness in a case that went to the Mitcham Police Court. He developed a reputation for being organised and a clear speaker, frequently being called upon to act as a Master of Ceremonies at local events where he was praised for carrying ‘out his duties in his usual masterly style.’
The family were strong supporters of the Catholic Church and institutions with all contributing to the development of the New Presbytery of our Lady of Dolores at Kingswood including the boys contributing a guinea and Michael Snr two guineas on a regular basis in the ‘20’s..
In November ‘24 Jack acted as best man when his sister Mary married Walter Hurley, with younger brother, Michael being groomsman.
Jack developed a taste for having a ‘flutter’ – a skill that would be revisited after his enlistment. Unfortunately, in peacetime, he was caught being involved in betting illegally on the Oakbank Racecourse in April ’25 and faced the Woodside Court, one of 26 cases. Admitting the charge, Jack was fined £10 7/6.
Jack’ father, Michael died early, aged 56 on December 27th 1925, just a day after Jack’s 23rd birthday. Jack’s mother also died early, aged 58 on the 6th February ’31 with both being interred in the Catholic Section of West Terrace.
John married Margaret Mary Barry of Mount Gambier in St Paul’s Catholic Church in October ’28. He chose Margaret’s brother, Owen as his best man. On their return to live in Mitcham, Jack became interested in establishing a branch of the Labour Party in the area. Following a successful meeting, Jack became Secretary and was also elected as one of two delegates to the labour Party Council with Jack also offered his home for future meetings.
With the outbreak of WWII, aged 38, Jack enlisted to serve on the 23rd June 1940 and was allocated the number SX6943 in the 2/48th Battalion. A month later he contracted pharyngitis, probably from being in close confines of the Motor Pavilion of the now Royal Adeliade Showgrounds where the recruits were housed in the early weeks.
In August, Jack was graded a Group II Cook and just prior to embarking for overseas, was promoted to Acting Sergeant. He sailed on the Stratheden on the 17th November, arriving in the Middle East on the 17th December. He was to become one of the highly famed and respected Rats of Tobruk. Originally this term was designed to demoralise the troops who were living in dust, flea and rat infected dugouts. Instead, the term was quickly seized as an unofficial title of pride.
By the end of October ’41, Jack was fortunate to just receive a reprimand for ‘Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline’. Unfortunately, early in February ’42 he developed an upper respiratory tract infection, followed by tracheitis which saw him spend almost a week with the field ambulance.
In August ’42, John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan recounted an incident that illustrated the efficiency of the minefield that surrounded the 2/48th Battalion when two mangy camels approached. Immediately bets were placed to see which one would get the furthest through the minefield, with odds of 100 – 1 that either would get through. Having hardly passed the outer fringe, both simultaneously disappeared in a dust cloud ‘disintegrating sufficiently to take the gleam out of the eye of Jack McElligott, the cook.’
Two months later Jack was treated for a left collar fracture which put him out of action for almost two months before he was finally able to return to Australia via Melbourne at the start of February ’43. However, his body had taken quite a beating with heavy lifting of cooking utensils and other equipment and the desert conditions. His left arm was diagnosed with a fracture and his wrist also capable of just limited movement. By June, these injuries were further diagnosed as arthritis in his left elbow and shoulder joint. Inevitably his fitness was classified as suitable only for restricted actions and he was re-allotted in June ’43 to the Special Services Training Company.
Sergeant Jack was eventually discharged on the 24th July ’43, his duty done.
Aged just 48, Jack died a month prior to his 49th birthday on the 11th October 1950 in the Repatriation Hospital at Daws Road. He was buried in the Catholic Old Area of the West Terrace Cemetery, Grid E7 Site 79. His parents Michael and Elizabeth, and later his brother Michael and his wife Mabel share the same plot.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.