John Raymond Whatson was born on 12 October 1923 at Taree to Frederick Whatson and Millicent Lacey.
John originally enlisted in the CMF on 2 February 1942 at Upper Lansdowne and was aged 19 years 4 months stating his occupation as dairy farming and his father Frederick Whatson as his next of kin. On 16 October 1942 he was posted to 2 Australian Artillery Training Regiment at Hume.
John then transferred to the AIF on 27 October 1942. On 17 December 1942 he was transferred to 3 Australian Anti-Tank Regiment. On 27 July 1943 he was moved out to Northern Territory and transferred to 103 Aust Tank A Regiment AIF where he remained until 18 March 1944 when he returned to NSW for discharge. He was discharged as being required for employment in an essential occupation.
When John was discharged on 6 April 1944 he was posted to 103 Australian Tank A Regiment AIF.
John’s brother Ken also enlisted in the Australian Army during WW2.
John married Joyce Aldous in 1946 at Taree and had 1 child. After his return from the war John worked for the Railways at Taree.
