Private Roy James JOHNS
24 Nov 1919 – 29 Dec 1942
Roy James JOHNS was born in Western Australia on November 24, 1919 to James and Emily JOHNS. Roy was the oldest son of his family. They moved to Waikerie whilst he was a child. Roy completed his schooling and became a labourer in Waikerie. On the 6th of July, 1940, Roy completed his attestation in ADELAIDE and at almost 21 years of age joined the 2nd Australia Infantry Force.
After completing his training Roy, embarked on His Majesties Troopship “STRATHEDEN” for service overseas on November 7th, 1940. He soon suffered appendicitis and was hospitalised, finally being taken on Battalion strength in the Middle East as fit for service on 18th February 1941.
He saw active service with the 2/48th Batt, 9th Division in Syria, Egypt and Libya. Some of the harshest desert campaigns of the war, and was one of the famous “RATS OF TOBRUK” having been stationed and fought at TOBRUK for a total of eight months.
After managing to get through all this action uninjured by the enemy, Roy was admitted to hospital in Palestine suffering “bronchio phenomena” on the 28th December 1942. Sadly, he died the next day.
For his service Roy JOHNS had earned; the 1939-45 Star, the Africa Star with 8th clasp, The Defence medal, War medal and Active Service Medal. These were delivered to his family in 1953. His family were issued a memorial scroll in 1950.
Roy JOHNS is interred in the Gaza War Memorial Cemetery and is commemorated on the Australian War Memorial on the Roll of Honour. Roy is also commemorated with a tree and plaque here in the WAIKERIE War Memorial Gardens.
