Remembering Darcy And Jack Wheelock...(ANZAC DAY 2022).
Today is the 25 April and one of the most important days on the Australian calendar in which we pay tribute to those men and women, past and present who served or serve in the armed forces.
As the sun is rising in the east the 'Last Post' can be heard playing in Subiaco. It is on this day in 1915 that the Australian and New Zealand troops off the coast of Turkey were getting ready to storm the beaches of Gallipoli. Thousands of men died and were wounded in this campaign and today we remember them.
Darcy Logan Wheelock was my grandmother Annie's brother. Their mother Jessie and father Charles were my great grandmother and grandfather. The Wheelock family tree was one of the first blog posts on this blog. I never met Darcy Wheelock or any of his family including my grandmother who died before I was born. Darcy Wheelock enlisted and served in both World War One and World War Two. Jack Wheelock enlisted and served in World War Two.
Darcy Wheelock was born in 1888 in Carnarvon. Darcy Wheelock and Edna Elizabeth Iles married in 1917. Jack was born in 1919. Ronald Henry was born 1921 and later Nevin was born 1923 and Betty. Darcy's occupation was on his World War One records was listed as a teamster.
Darcy Logan Wheelock like so many young men served in World War One was in the 10 th Light Horse Regiment. The following information about Darcy Logan Wheelock was on the AIF Project site.
(https://www.nbradley.id.au/Martin-o/exhibits/wheelock-dl-20734.pdf )
At the National Archives of Australia the war service files available online provide wonderful information about the person, a physical description, where they trained and served and the medals they were awarded.
The 2/4 Machine Gun Battalion webpage (https://2nd4thmgb.com.au/soldier/wx8753/) provides a wonderful collection of information from newspapers about the Wheelock family from Carnarvon, and Darcy Wheelock's son Jack who served in World War Two. This site as it provides some wonderful articles from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia.
This webpage writes about Darcy Logan Wheelock "...Darcy had returned home from WW1 about March 1917. He had several years earlier on 21 October 1914, enlisted at Carnarvon aged 25 years, with 10th Light Horse, 1st Reinforcement. His occupation was teamster. Darcy embarked ex Fremantle on 17 February 1915.
While Darcy was away at war his father Charles Thomas Wheelock who was born at Toodyay, died on 5 May 1916. Darcy’s mother and Jack’s grandmother Jessie Nevin McJanet who was born 1864 Burr, Victoria married Charles Wheelock at Carnarvon 16 June 1885. Jessie Wheelock died 30 years later on 3 July 1946 at Carnarvon..."
Darcy enlisted again 11 May 1942 at Carnarvon for WW2. W82129 Darcy was located at the General Details Depot..."
"...Jack and his brothers, were talented sportsmen throughout their younger lives in Carnarvon. Jack did very well at rifle shooting, football, cycling, swimming and cricket. It seems there was no sport he was not able to participate well. From working at Carnarvon Newspapers, Jack moved south to Perth before taking up a position at Norseman...
He was able to return to cricket after the war, representing WA Newspapers where he worked. In his earlier days Jack was employed at the Carnarvon newspapers, and trained as a printer. He enlisted October 1940. He soon after joined 2/4th MGB, ‘B’ Company. He was part of the successful Army Football team, and probably the cricket team whilst at Northam..."
Jack Wheelock enlisted in World War Two on 23 October 1940 and was allocated the rank of Private. He was with the WX8753 Regiment 'B' Company. In 1943 Jack was reported missing and spent time in prisoner of war camps. Jack was discharged on 13 March, 1946. After the end of the war, Jack returned to his occupation printing, working at the West Australian Newspapers, where he remained until his retirement. Jack married Avril Freeman in 1946. Together they had a daughter Cheryl. It is not known if they have any more children.
Darcy Wheelock died on 26 April, 1962 aged 74 years. Jack died on 2 August, 2005 aged 86 years.
The articles are from Trove, the database of the National Library of Australia.
Northern Times, 10 July 1941.
Soldier Fare welled
GUNNER WHEELOCK HONOURED
Gunner J. L. Wheelock, of the 2/4th Machine Gun Battalion, AJ.F., who has been in Northam camp for over nine months, arrived in Carnarvon last Saturday on final leave. He was accorded a public farewell in the Parish Hall on Tuesday evening the function was attended by a large number of the local citizens.
Speaking on behalf of the assemblage, His Worts hip the Mayor (Mr. V. M Shallcross) stated that the occasion was to wish best luck to Jack Wheelock and Allan Kopke, although the latter was not present he was prominent in our thoughts. Both Allan and Jack, who were in the same Battalion were on final leave together. Speaking of the guest, My, Shallcross said that he had been personally known in the town all his life with the exception of a short period he spent at Norseman. He was known as a good and genuine sport and one who acquitted himself well. If it was a good send off, he assured Jack that it was nothing to what we would give him when he came back. He was a member of the highest trained force in Australia, in fact, his Battalion had been so long in camp that they had become known as the caretakers-laughter. Continuing, Mr. Shallcross stated that Britain was preparing now for a blow which Germany would take right on the chin. Men were being drawn from all parts of the Empire-the British forces had even been withdrawn from Greeland. We had been kicked out of Norway, Dunkirk, Greece and Crete, but Hitler was now about to get something that he didn't expect. Jack Wheelock and Ailan Kopke were in the same unit and everyone wished them the best of luck and a speedy and safe return.
In supporting the Mayor's remarks,' Mr. C. R; Cornish, president of the Gascoyne Sub-Branch R.S.I». said; that Jack had received an excellent training and was with a good crowd of soldiers. He was personally acquainted with his colonel, haying been associated with Colonel Anketell for the last 18 months of the 1914-18 war. He knew that these boys would be safe under Mick and that they would give a good account of themselves. This is a proud moment and a very sad one, said Mr. Cornish, and we hope that all the men will come back safely and be better for their experience. He again referred to the great comradeship of the army where every man was ready to assist another He felt that he was expressing the feelings of the district when he wished Jack God speed and a safe return home. In conclusion Mr. Cornish presented Jack with a parcel of woollen goods from the ladies' knitting auxiliary and he also handed him a parcel for Allan Kopke.
In responding Gunner Wheelock said that Allan and he were the only two from the North-West in their Battalion. He was glad of the opportunity of getting home to say farewell to., his many friends. On behalf of Allan Kopke and himself thanked the speakers for their remarks, the patriotic fund for arranging the function and the people for attending. He also expressed thanks to the ladies' knitting auxiliary and informed the Mayor that the Carnarvon boys would be there to do their bit. The evening was concluded at 12.30 a.m. with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne," "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" and the National Anthem.
10 th Light Horse Regiment Leaves Perth.
Discovering Anzacs at the National Archives of Australia.
Jack Logan Wheelock.
Carnarvon War Memorial.
