HARVEY, John Frederick
| Service Number: | 20953 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 29 October 1935 |
| Last Rank: | Petty Officer |
| Last Unit: | HMAS Perth (I) D29 WW2 |
| Born: | Ipswich, Qld., 8 August 1918 |
| Home Town: | Ipswich, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Boys Central School, Technical College |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Sunda Strait, Indonesia, Sunda Strait, Netherlands East Indies, 1 March 1942, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" At Sea |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, East Fremantle HMAS Perth (I) Memorial, Kangaroo Point H.M.A.S. Moreton Honour Roll |
World War 2 Service
| 29 Oct 1935: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Petty Officer, 20953 | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Petty Officer, 20953, HMAS Perth (I) D29 WW2 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
A GALLANT LAD.
PETTY-OFFICER J. F. HARVEY.
Believed Lost in Battle.
Petty-Officer John Frederick Harvey, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. G. F. Harvey, Thorn-street, was a member of the crew of H.M.A.S. Perth, believed to have been lost in battle off the Java coast on the night of February 28. P.O. Harvey was 23 years of age. He was educated at the Boys' Central School, where he gained a scholarship, and he subsequently attended the Technical College. Always keen on a seafaring life, it was not long before he gained ad mission to the Navy, and left for Melbourne to undergo his preliminary training at the Naval College. Later, He sailed on H.M.A.S. 'Albatross' for England, where the ship was exchanged, by arrangement with the British authorities, for H.M.S. 'Hobart', on which the young seaman made his return to Australia.
On the outbreak of war he was assigned to duty on the destroyer 'Voyager', which carried out many fine exploits in the Mediterranean. It was responsible for the sinking of the first Italian submarine after Italy declared war, and also took part in the Libyan campaign. One of the most thrilling of the 'Voyager's' experiences was the sinking of four submarines in less than 12 hours by a flotilla to which she was attached. On his return home on extended leave in May of last year, P.O. Harvey expressed his pride in the achievements of his ship, and the hope that he soon would be privileged to rejoin her. He was, however, allotted to Instructional duties at a naval depot in the South, but later was transferred to H.M.A.S. 'Perth'.
Of a happy, genial disposition, Jack Harvey had many friends, who perceived in him the embodiment of manliness and purposeful ambition. At a meeting of the Ipswich Legacy Club last night, sympathy was extended to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey and family in their hour of trial, and the feeling expressed that they would derive comfort from the knowledge that Jack had gained the esteem and affection of all who knew him, and had given noble service in Australia's and the Empire's cause.