Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John (aka Jack) Frederick Aldred was born at Brooklyn Private Hospital Sydney on 18th April 1922, to Doris and Frederick Aldred. The early days at Prospect Street Kogarah weren't easy. The economy was in ruins. His father Fred, a returned W.W.1 Somme veteran employed as an ice-carter, was to sever most of his hand in a work accident without compensation, and then subsequently lost his job. A young Jack attended Carlton Public School where he was coaxed along by the whip hand of Master Jimmy Laws. Jack enjoyed nibbling on a penneth of scraps from the local fish and chip shop, followed by a dessert of borrowed blackberries from the local churchyard. Times were tough, but Jack was tougher. He continued to mature and left school at around 13 years of age, trying a variety of jobs until he joined the NSW Railways. By this stage though, he had already formed a strong desire to join the Navy in the upcoming conflict that turned out to be W.W.2. One can only imagine dinner table conversations between Jack and his parents who were opposed to his enlistment; particularly his father Fred who witnessed and survived the bloodshed and carnage of war on the Somme. After two and a half years of intensive lobbying though, Jack was finally granted leave to join the Navy on 30th December 1940, serving primarily on the Bathurst class Corvette H.M.A.S Katoomba (Service number S4919). He quickly earned his nickname “Blackjack” by his shipmates due to his olive complexion. H.M.A.S Katoomba quickly saw action which is best detailed in the attached Daily Telegraph article “Tough Little Australian Corvette blasted way into naval history” of 7th May 1962. Jack is mentioned when the ship came under enemy attack. He was discharged on 15th January 1946 and returned to marry his lifetime partner Ellen on 19 Apr 1947. They were married for 49 years and had 6 children. He continued his connection to his crew mates when shortly after the end of W.W.2, Jack was the driving force and co-founder of the HMAS Katoomba Association. He was long serving Secretary of the Association and later President at time of his death on 7th April 1996. He is fondly remembered by all who served with him as a most efficient and enthusiastic Oerlikon gunner on H.M.A.S Katoomba for more than 3 ½ years. His time with this Association is perhaps best summed up by the below Eulogy poem, written and delivered by his H.M.A.S Katoomba crew mate Jack Fox.

“There are many years of memories,

dating back to ‘42

When our dear departed shipmate

Joined Katoomba’s happy crew.

They are memories of wartime

With Jack strapped behind his gun,

They are memories of shore time

With a beer and bits of fun.

They are memories of sailors

At reunions through the years

They are memories of families

As with faith they faced their fears.

They are memories of phone calls

With a cheery bright hello,

They are memories of bedsides

And a mate who's pretty low.

They are memories of gravesides

And a poppy dropped below.

They are memories of sickness

That our shipmate bravely faced,

They are memories of troubles,

That within God's care were placed.

They are memories of letters

With a P.S “Ring us back”,

They are memories by the thousand

Of our tireless shipmate Jack.”

“Able Seaman Jack Aldred is remembered by those who served with him as an Oerlikon Gunner surpreme; Quartermaster with understanding; Able Seaman in charge of the Minesweeping store, and king of all rabbit kings. He was an inspiration to all who served in that little ship. Above all else, Jack is remembered as tireless, understanding, generous, compassionate and a damn good bloke.”

                           May he rest in peace.