Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

SANGSTER John Clive MB BS

1903-1944

John Clive Sangster was born on 18th December 1903, at Kooringa, SA. He was the son of John Ikin Sangster junior, MB BS (Adelaide) MRCS LRCP, and Ruby Catherine, nee Turnbull. Sangster was educated at St Peter’s College, Adelaide, and the University of Adelaide where he graduated MB BS in 1927. Sangster was keen at football and golf; he played intercollegiate and university football and was a member of the intervarsity golf team.  He spent one year at the Adelaide Hospital before moving to a general practice in Clare, SA. Sangster also undertook some major surgery in his practice rooms. He married Marjorie Morris Phillips at St Matthews Church, Kensington SA, on 6th February 1929.  She was the daughter of Robert Morris Phillips and Elsie Marjorie, nee Carter.  Sangster and his wife were living in Clare, SA, when their two sons, Peter John, and Christopher Michael were born.

Before enlisting in WW2 Sangster served in the CMF as a driver in the artillery, and was a captain on the AAMC reserve of officers.  During this time, he had five weeks with the 9/23 Light Horse Regiment in Gawler, SA, in 1940. Sangster joined the RAAF Medical Branch as a probationary flight lieutenant on 10th July 1940. He was appointed acting squadron leader on 1st July 1941 and gazetted temporary squadron leader with effect from 1st May 1942. He was initially attached to 5 Recruit Company on 10th July 1940, HQ RAAF Laverton, Victoria, from 5th September 1940, HQ Central Area from 18th September 1940, HQ Southern Area from 22nd November 1940, HQ North-Western Area from 12th January 1942, HQ RAAF Laverton, Victoria from 18th June 1942, HEFTS from 23rd November 1942 and SHQ RAAF Laverton, Victoria from 25th January 1943. Posted to 7 Services Flying Training School from 26th February 1943 he undertook flying training on 22nd March 1943, and was awarded his flying badge on 28th April 1944. He had trained in a Tiger Moth, a Wackett trainer and a Wirraway and accumulated one hundred and fifty-five hours of flying. He was finally posted as CO to No 4 Medical Receiving Station, Corunna Downs, WA, from 12th May 1944. Corunna Downs is approximately 60 Km south of Marble Bar, WA. His locum of four years, Dr Burden, was unable, due to age to continue Sangster’s practice beyond July 1944. Sangster asked to be released to resume his general practice; nonetheless, he expressed a desire to remain in the RAAF until the end of the war. The RAAF were unwilling to release such a valuable officer.  John Clive Sangster was tragically killed in a flying accident at 5.25am on 25th August 1944; he was a passenger in a RAAF Gannett which was on a mercy flight to assist a civilian and crashed 50 yards offshore and one mile from the landing strip at RAAF Learmonth, Exmouth Gulf. He is buried in the Geraldton War Cemetery, Geraldton, WA. His wife and sons survived him.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears II: Medical Practitioners of South Australia on Active Service After World War 2 to Vietnam 1945-1975.

Summers, Swain, Jelly, Verco. Open Book Howden, Adelaide 2016

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD

John Clive SANGSTER was born at Kooringa, South Australia on 18th December, 1903

His parents were John Ikin SANGSTER and Ruby Catherine TURNBULL

He married Marjorie Morris PHILLIPS on 6th February, 1929 in St Matthews Church, Kensington, SA

John was a doctor on board an ambulance plane ( RAAF Gannet A14 -4) which was on a mercy flight and crashed in the Indian Ocean off the Australian Coast soon after take off

He died on 25th August, 1944