Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

David Jolly was born in Brisbane in June 1918, and he was living in Burwood Victoria at the time of his enlistment in the AIF in September 1941. David was the elder of two children of Alexander and Mary Jolly. His father passed away in 1924 leaving Mary to raise David and his sister Christine alone. He was educated at the Brighton Technical School and was employed as a manager when he enlisted.

In November 1941 David embarked for the Middle East as a reinforcement for the 2/2nd Field Regiment of the Royal Australian Artillery.  Within months of him joining his field regiment the entry of Japan into the war caused the Australian Government to recall the 6th Division to Australia, however Winsten Churchill controversially had the division diverted to Ceylon, against the wishes of the Australian Government.

On the 18th of April the men were bathing at Koggala on Ceylon’s South Coast, well known these days for its excellent surfing beaches. For reasons unknown David Jolly drowned whilst surfing in the ocean.

David’s body was recovered, and he was initially buried in the nearby Daddela General Cemetery. The boat of inquiry into his death concluded that it was by misadventure, attributing no blame on David or his Commanding Officer. Post war his body was exhumed and reburied in the CWGC plot of the Liveramenthu Cemetery in Colombo Sri Lanka.

David’s mother Mary passed away in 1945 leaving his sister Mary as the sole surviving member of the family.