John William (Mitch) MITCHELL

MITCHELL, John William

Service Number: A221656
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Leading Aircraftman
Last Unit: No. 35 Squadron (RAAF) - WW2
Born: Ivanhoe, New South Wales, Australia, 25 August 1945
Home Town: Townsville, Townsville, Queensland
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Permanent RAAF
Died: Natural causes (cancer), Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 15 May 2018, aged 72 years
Cemetery: Cairns (General) Cemetery, Queensland
Memorials:
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Vietnam War Service

21 Jan 1969: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, A221656
21 Jan 1969: Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, A221656, No. 35 Squadron (RAAF) - WW2

Good Friend

I’ve only just become aware of John’s passing, as sadly, we have lost touch over the last few years. I met John (Mitch) when I started work at the Prison in Townsville in 1983. In my early days at the prison, John already had six years experience and was always happy to provide me with support and guidance in a job where mistakes could have dire consequences. I was (and still am) very grateful to John for helping me the way he did.

During the ten years I worked at the prison, John and I became good friends. There wasn’t much he wouldn’t do for me if/when I ever needed help.

I left the Prison in 1993 and moved away from Townsville but we stayed in contact for many years after and we managed to meet up a few times over the years as well. Sadly, we did eventually lose contact with each other and it upsets me to only learn of his passing 14 months later. I remember John with great fondness and hope that he knew how important the part he played over the years.

I hope John’s sister Kali will accept my belated condolences.

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Biography contributed by John Edwards

Post Vietnam John commenced with the Qld Prison Service at Townsville in Apr 1977 and remained until his retirement in Sep 2010 following a motor-cycle crash in the Cairns area.