MACKEY, John Bernard
| Service Number: | NX20317 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 June 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/3rd Pioneer Battalion |
| Born: | Leichhardt, New South Wales, 16 May 1922 |
| Home Town: | Portland, Lithgow, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | St. Columba's School, Christian Brothers' High School, St Joseph's Convent School |
| Occupation: | Baker's labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Tarakan, Borneo, 12 May 1945, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Labuan War Cemetery Plot. 27 Row. C Grave. 9, Labuan War Cemetery, Labuan, Malaysia |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Keith Payne VC Memorial Park, Kokoda Track Memorial Rose Garden, Leichhardt War Memorial, North Bondi War Memorial, Portland District War Memorial |
Biography contributed by Paul Trevor
Mackey, John Bernard (Jack) (1922–1945)
by Harry Taplin
John Bernard (Jack) Mackey, baker's mate and soldier, was born on 16 May 1922 at Leichhardt, Sydney, only son and eldest of four children of native-born parents Stanislaus Mackey, baker, and his wife Bridget Catherine, née Smyth. After attending St Columba's School, Leichhardt, and Christian Brothers' High School, Lewisham, Jack moved with his family to Portland in 1936. Aged 14, he finished his formal education at St Joseph's Convent School that year.
Because jobs were scarce, young Mackey was apprenticed in his father's bakery. Of average height, stockily built and weighing about 13 stone (83 kg), he had blue eyes, reddish hair, and a humorous and exuberant nature. He played Rugby League football for the local junior team (and later for his battalion) and proved an excellent swimmer, but he disliked working in the bakery and living in the country. His relationship with his father became strained, particularly after his mother died in 1939. Defying his father, Jack overstated his age and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 4 June 1940. Stanislaus reluctantly accepted the situation.
Posted to the 2nd/3rd Pioneer Battalion, Mackey served in Darwin in 1941 before being sent to the Middle East where he saw action in the battle of El Alamein, Egypt (October-November 1942). He returned to Australia in February 1943, then sailed for Papua in August. During operations around Finschhafen, New Guinea, he was promoted acting corporal in October (substantive June 1944). His company commander described him as an outstanding junior leader who exhibited moral and physical courage. Mackey was hospitalized with malaria in November 1943-January 1944, and again in May-June and August-September 1944. With his battalion, he embarked for the invasion of Tarakan Island, Borneo, in April 1945 and landed on 1 May.
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https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/mackey-john-bernard-jack-10993 (adb.anu.edu.au)
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