WHEAT, John Harrison
| Service Number: | 7861 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 February 1913 |
| Last Rank: | Able Seaman |
| Last Unit: | HMAS Penguin (IV) 1939-1940/HMAS Brisbane 1940-1942/HMAS Moreton (I) 1942-1994 (Depot) |
| Born: | Sale Vic., 3 August 1893 |
| Home Town: | Woy Woy, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | 9 January 1953, aged 59 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 22 Feb 1913: | Enlisted 7861, HMAS Penguin (IV) 1939-1940/HMAS Brisbane 1940-1942/HMAS Moreton (I) 1942-1994 (Depot) | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Feb 1920: | Discharged 7861, HMAS Penguin (IV) 1939-1940/HMAS Brisbane 1940-1942/HMAS Moreton (I) 1942-1994 (Depot) |
World War 1 Service
| Date unknown: | Involvement Able Seaman, 7861, HMAS AE2 (Submarine) |
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Help us honour John Harrison Wheat's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Gerard WHEAT and Alice Jane Nesbitt nee HARRISON
Of Woy Woy, NSW
On leaving school he joined the Australian Naval Force 09 November 1908 signing on for a 5 year engagement.
Enlisted in the RAN 22 February 1913 for a 5 year engagement
Served on Submarine 01 January 1915 - 30 June 1915
Prisoner of War in Turkey
John made an escape atempts with Alexander Nichols. They escaped in August 1916 from a small camp at Hacikiri, which was about 12 miles from the main camp at Belemedik. This was about 45 miles from the coast, which was on the other side of the mountains. They managed to reach the sea but the raft that they built would not take their weight. The pair had to give themselves up after 19 days. Both were punished by the Turks for their escape attempt. After spending time in Camps at Belemedik, Afion Kara Hissar and also a camp at Bor, John Wheat was transferred to work in a railway work shop. Another escape attempt was planned with Stoker James Cullen and a Private Samson. The escape was seven months in the planning and between they built a collapsible boat. The escape was made on 29th April 1918, The weather was not good and after Cullen had an attack of malaria they left the boat and returned to Camp. Wheat and Samson were again severely punished. Becoming very unfit as a result of his treatment Wheat was returned to Afion Kara Hissar in May 1918 before being selected for a prisoner exchange in October 1918. At Smyrna he boarded the Australian Hospital Ship KANOWNA which was routed via Alexandria to London before returned to Australia.
Discharged from the RAN 22 February 1920.
John then joined the British India Steam Navigation Company at Singapore.
He married Marie HUNSTONE and they returned to Australian living in various places in NSW.
John died 09 January 1953 at the age of 60 years. He had lived at Charlotte Bay and Bobbin Head. His wife returned to Derbyshire.
His diaries of his career are important submarine historical documents.