Jack Redman

John Robert Walter Redman (10 July 1914 – 5 July 1945) was an Australian rugby league player who played of the 1930s and an RAAF officer who was killed in the Pacific theatre of WWII.

Jack Redman

Personal information
Full name	John Robert Walter Redman
Born	10 July 1914 Canterbury, New South Wales, Australia
Died	5 July 1945(1945-07-05) (aged 30) Borneo, Japanese-occupied Dutch East Indies
Playing information
Position	Lock
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1933–34 University 10 1 0 0 3 1935–40 Balmain 77 41 0 0 123 Total 87 42 0 0 126 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1939 NSW City 1 1 0 0 3
Source:
Military career
Allegiance	Australia
Service / branch	Royal Australian Air Force
Years of service	1941-1945
Rank	Squadron leader
Battles / wars	World War II Pacific War

Background

John Robert Walter Redman was born at Canterbury, New South Wales in 1914, and played rugby league from a young age.

Playing career

He debuted in first grade for University in 1933 and played 10 games for the club between 1933 and 1934. After completing his studies, he joined Balmain in 1935 and went on to become one of the best lock-forwards in Sydney rugby league until his last season in 1940.

Redman was selected for NSW City Firsts, playing in one representative game in 1939.

Balmain Premiers 1939 - Redman 2nd row 3rd from left

Military career and death

He joined the RAAF in 1941 and did not play rugby league again. He rose to squadron leader and was shot down over Borneo on 5 July 1945, five days before his 31st birthday.