18 Jul 1922 - 19 Oct 1973

Born on July 18 1922, the adopted son of John and Elizabeth Sloan, salvation army officers living in Petersham, NSW, Jack’s early life was tough and frugal. Jack left school aged 15 and eventually secured an apprenticeship with an engineering company and the engineering school at Ultimo Technical College in Sydney.

Fours years later, in 1941, his engineering work (especially his fitting and turning skills) were recognised as an important part of Australia’s war effort in Sydney’s Smith’s Weekly Newspaper.

Having spent nearly 10 years working in the Engineering industry, and all his spare time working on farms and enjoying his favourite past time of riding horses, he decided to see more of the world.

He commenced study and work to qualify as a marine engineer and in 1953 gained employment with The Australia-Oriental Line, well known for their two ships, the S.S. Changte and S.S. Taiping, running the Australia – Manila - Philippine Islands - Hong Kong – China – Japan routes. In 1955 he secured an appointment as 2nd engineer on the S.S. Taiping, and his adventurous desire to see the world began to be fulfilled.

In 1957, 24 year old Joan Williamson Edgar and her mother Thelma booked passage on the S.S. Taiping for a 3 month cruise holiday, and it was on this voyage that Joan met the 2nd Engineer, Jack Sloan. With Joan’s rural heritage in Western Australia dating back to 1864 and Jack’s love of farming and horses, they had plenty to talk about and soon an everlasting romance began.

On return to Australia, they were married in St Mary’s Church, West Perth on the 30th of December 1957.

Initially they purchased a farm in Western Australia, but soon depressed wool prices made this an unviable situation, so they sold and relocated to Berwick, Victoria, running a small beef producing farm with horses. But again, income was not great, so Jack decided to supplement their income by returning to part-time Marine Engineering.

Jack was called to join the Blythe Star after another ship was delayed and therefore a replacement engineer was needed.

They enjoyed a happy life together and Joan recalls he was the perfect husband and partner, welcoming their son, Peter, who was born on the 2 July 1965.

Jack now has a grandson - Jon, born 17/10/1997 - and a great grandson - Zepher born 10/10/2022.

Jack’s wife, Joan Williamson Sloan, describes her husband, known to her as John, as a kind and good man who did not drink, smoke or gamble. He loved owning and working the farm, with a special interest in beef cattle, and his favourite hobby, riding horses.