John Patrick Ledden MM (1911 - 1972)

Biography

John Patrick 'Jack' Ledden MM was born on 11th April 1911 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He was the son of Charles Ledden and Lily Tupper. ^[1]

Jack worked as a 'wharfie' on the Sydney Docks.

He married Nita Ryan in 1935 in Paddington, New South Wales. ^[2]

On 28th March 1940 Jack enlisted in the Second Australian Imperial Force so as to serve overseas in the Second World War. After basic training, he was posted to the 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion and joined his unit in Egypt in time for its first action, pushing westward into Libya and capturing the towns of Bardia (3-5th January 1941) and Tobruk (21-22nd January). ^[3] In March 1941 the entire 6th Division was re-deployed to Greece where it suffered heavy losses against a much stronger German Army. Some 500 members of Jack's battalion became prisoners-of-war when the defence of Crete collapsed. Jack was one of less than 100 who managed to evacuate and reach the British Mandate of Palestine (Israel), where the battalion was rebuilt. After garrison duties in Syria over a snowy winter and in Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in a tropical summer, the unit reached Australia for an ever-so-brief 'visit' before deploying to Papua, and the infamous Kokoda Track.

During the ferocious fighting along the Track, Jack was awarded the Military Medal (MM) for gallantry; gazetted on 1st April 1943 (one wonders whether he thought someone was pulling his leg). ^[4]

He was later transferred to the 33rd Docks Operating Company in New Britain and was demobilised on 5th September 1945 with the senior non-commissioned rank of Sergeant. ^[3] After the war he was issued the campaign and service medals: 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945 and Australia Service Medal 1939-1945. On 16th November 1945 the Governor General of Australia recommended Jack for Mention in Despatches (equivalent to today's Commendation for Gallantry); which was duly gazetted on 14th February 1946. ^[5]

He obtained employment as a chauffeur with the New South Wales Government.

Having been widowered for two years and aged 61 years, Jack passed away on 22nd April 1972 in Newtown, New South Wales and was buried in Rookwood Cemetery. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ New South Wales Birth Index #12173/1911
2. ↑ New South Wales Marriage Index #2914/1935
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: NX11538 Sergeant John Patrick Ledden; accessed 24 May 2021
4. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Military Medal; accessed 26 Oct 2020
5. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards (recommendation): Mentioned in Despatches; accessed 26 Oct 2020
6. ↑ New South Wales Death Index #51507/1972

See also

• Givney, Edwin C 'Ted'. The First at War: The Story of the 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion 1939-45. The Association of First Infantry Battalions, Earlwood, 1987. ISBN 1 86252 965 5.
• Smith, Graham J (Jack's great nephew). The Making of Warriors: The Story of The 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion, The City of Sydney Regiment 1939-1942. Rosenberg, Dural NSW, 2020. ISBN 978 0 6484466 6 8.