Passing of a WWII Telegraphist
The following has been received from the grand daughter of Jack Raymond Francis a Telegraphist who crossed the bar yesterday 16 Nov 12.
I was just wondering whether a small obituary could be placed on the website blog for my wife’s grandfather who peacefully passed away this afternoon at the NorthHaven Rest Home at Red Beach, Orewa. His name is Jack Raymond Francis, and he was 91 years old. He served as a Telegraphist in the RNZN during World War 2. A copy of Jack’s service history can be read by clicking HERE or you can read a brief history below.
Prior to joining up, Jack was living in Whitianga and working as a Cadet at the Whitianga Post & Telegraph Office. In June 1941 he joined the NZ Army 9th Field Ambulance Unit with the rank of Private, and served with this unit for almost 10 months. Jack joined the Royal New Zealand Navy in June 1942, signing on “for the duration of hostilities & six months thereafter”, and was granted the rating of Ordinary Telegraphist. He was promoted from Ordinary Telegraphist to Telegraphist while based at HMNZS Philomel from February 1943 until March 1944.
In October 1943 Jack joined the crew of the Class “B” Fairmile motor launch Q411 (ML411) which had just been launched the previous month. After four months of patrol and training in the Hauraki Gulf, Jack was deployed to the Solomon Islands in March 1944 on board Q411, just a few months after he had married Beryl Weber. Jack was based in the Solomon Islands at Kahu until the 20th of October 1944, exactly one year since he joined ML411.
Upon arriving back in New Zealand from the Solomon, Jack was based at Devonport until June 1945, joining the crew of a small Harbour Defence Motor Launch, ML1193 (Q1193) in December 1944. Between June and November 1945, ML1193 was based in Wellington, with Jack’s base being at the Shore Establishment HMNZS Cook at Shelly Bay.
During his final four months in the navy, Jack was stationed at the navy’s W/T Station in Waiouru. Jack was discharged from the Navy in March 1946, six months after the end of the Second World War. He was 24 years 5 months old at the time, having given almost 5 years of his life to serving his country.
The funeral is to be held this coming Thursday, 22nd November at 2.00pm.
Out condolences go to Megan and Justin and family on the passing of her Grandfather.