John (Jack) Dickson Greenhill

John (Jack) Dickson Greenhill was born on 22nd June 1898 in Corryong, Victoria, to Thomas Greenhill and Mary Barbara, nee Dickson.

On 7th April 1917, he enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 20-year-old student living at 16 Napier St, Fitzroy, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 35898 and placed in the 28th Reinforcements for the 8th Field Artillery Brigade. Jack gave his next of kin as his father, Thomas Greenhill. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A15 Port Sydney at Melbourne, Victoria, on 9th November 1917.

Jack served with the 8th Field Artillery Brigade on the Western Front until the end of the war.

On 3rd July 1919, he returned to Australia aboard HT Prinz Hubertus, with the rank of Gunner. He was discharged on 16th September 1919 and was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service during the war.

Jack married Olive Christina Gibson in 1923. They settled in Corryong, where Jack worked as a carpenter. During the 1920s and 30s, Jack was an important player for the Corryong Football team. He was also handy with the cricket bat, playing for Corryong and the golf club!

When war clouds formed again, Jack answered his country’s call. On 11th May 1942, he enlisted in the RAAF (55699). He would rise to the rank of Leading Aircraftman and be a carpenter/rigger in No.1 Mobile Works Squadron. While stationed at No.11 Elementary Flying Training School at RAAF Benalla, he was approved as an emergency driver. His discharge approval was completed on the 9th January 1945, as he was requested to be released to take up his civil occupation. In this case, he was to become an engine driver and filer for D. Embery, working in Timber Area 59A.

His RAAF service file contains Jack’s reason for applying for early discharge.

“It is most essential that I return to my family. I had three years service in the 1st. A.I.F. serving two years overseas in France. Two and a half years this war, twelve months of that period with No. 1 Mobile Works Squadron in Darwin area. I find I cannot keep pace with the younger men, and cannot just go and rest when I feel like it.

Also our son serving with the R.A.F. in England has been killed and his mother needs me. She has been attending to my business in connection with rents, rates, repairs to shops which I own and were I working at my home town I could manage these details. She is not now fit to do so. Our other son aged 14 years goes away to school next year and then my wife will be a sad and lonely woman.

Mr D.Embery has applied for me through the Saw Millers Association, and were I to be working for him, it would enable me to be at home at a time when they need me as never before.

So asking you (after considering my age, my years of service to our country in this war, and the last, and the great loss in the person of our son) for my discharge.”

Olive passed away on 27th April 1973. Jack followed her four years later on 4th July 1977 at Corryong, Victoria. Both were laid to rest in Corryong Cemetery.