John Jeffery Brough (1907 - 1942)

Born 4 Feb 1907 in South Leith, Edinburghshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Veronica (Boyle) Brough — married 27 Jun 1936 in Werneth, Victoria, Australia

Died 1 Jul 1942 at age 35 in At Sea

Biography

John Brough was a Prisoner of War during World War II.

John Brough died as a prisoner of war on the Montevideo Maru during the Second World War.

John Jeffery Brough was born on 4 February 1907 in South Leith, Scotland. Son of George Brough and Barbara Mary Jeffrey.

He married Veronica Baker (or Boyle) in Victoria on 27 Jun 1936.

He enlisted in the Australian Army for overseas service at Royal Park, Melbourne, VIC on 07 Jun 1940 (after completing his attestation form at Ballarat, VIC on 03 Jun 1940). He enlisted as a Private (VX30830). At the time he was married, a fencer and tractor driver and was living with his wife at Werneth, VIC. He had previously served as a Driver in the Royal Field Artillery, Territorial Army in the UK. He had brown hair and brown eyes.

He was posted to the 2/22nd Bn on 17 Jul 1940.

He embarked on HMAT "Katoomba" on 10 Apr 1941 in Melbourne for Rabaul, New Britain in the Territory of New Guinea, disembarking there on 26 Apr 1941.

He was promoted Lance Cpl on 31 Aug 1941.

When the Japanese invaded New Britain on 23 Jan 1942 he was captured at Bu Airfield (almost certainly Vunakanau airfield) and became a Prisoner of War, initially held at Rabaul. Japanese records have him with D Coy, 2/22nd Bn. He died on board the "Montevideo Maru" when it was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of the Philippines on 01 Jul 1942, en route from Rabaul to Hainan where he was destined for forced labour.

Sources

• Birth - scotlandspeople.gov.uk - Statutory registers - Births - BROUGH, JOHN JEFFERY; M; 1907; 692/2 197; Leith South

• Marriage - Victoria BDM Marriage index - Event: marriages; Registration number: 6384 / 1936; Family name: BROUGH; Given name(s): Jno Jeffery; Personal detail Spouse's family name: BAKER; Spouse's given name(s): Veronica .... and ... Event: marriages; Registration number: 6384 / 1936; Family name: BOYLE; Given name(s): Veronica; Personal detail Spouse's family name: BROUGH; Spouse's given name(s): Jno Jeffery

• WW2 Australian Army Service File - National Archives of Australia - BROUGH JOHN JEFFERY : Service Number - VX30830 : Date of birth - 04 Feb 1907 : Place of birth - LEITH SCOTLAND : Place of enlistment - ROYAL PARK VIC : Next of Kin - BROUGH VERONICA - http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=6144632

• Roll of Honour - Australian War Memorial - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1693563

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission - https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2615422/john-jeffery-brough/

• Virtual War Memorial Australia: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/621238

• The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial https://www.powmemorialballarat.com.au/prisoners-of-war/brough-john-jeffery/