Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John Richard Thornton (Jack) was born to John Thornton and Maud Rudder in 10 May 1902 in Mangay Creek, Queensland. Jack grew up in the sugar district of Ayr. Jack had limited schooling, and left school early to become a telegraph delivery boy, later joining the Queensland National Bank as a teller. When he was transferred to Clifton, he met Anne Margaret Gilmour, a pharmacist, and whom he would marry and have two sons with.

Jack remained with the bank until 1940, when he resigned to enlist. At the time, banking was considered a 'reserved occupation' and this prevented him from active service with the RAAF until 1942. He underwent training at Evans Head and was shipped to Port Moresby, where he spent about 12 months. 

In May 1943, Jack came back to Australia and went to officer school in Victoria. On graduation he was appointed as adjutant to the base at Sandgate, as Flight Lieutenant. 

In 1944, Jack was posted to Noumfour, and after a short time this unit was moved to Moratai which had been retaken from the Japanese. Jack stayed here until the end of the war. He was due to attend a surrender ceremony, but returned when his younger son, Keith, suffered a head injury following a bike accident, and Jack returned on compassionate grounds. 

On return to civilian life, Jack worked for the Department of Post War Reconstruction in the retraining division.

In 1948, Jack and Anne (and her sister Esse) purchased owned Yatala Pies for a few years, then a hardware store in Ashgrove. In 1951 Jack had the first of two heart attacks. 

Jack died from his second heart attack in June 1969. 

Jack's service records reflect the general opinion people had of him, that he was a kind and reasonable man, gentle in nature. He earned the respect of his superiors and the people who worked with him. He was greatly missed by Anne and his two sons, and the many people who knew him.