Victor Charles Every

Victor Charles Every

Personal Information
Date of Birth	27 Feb 1921
Place of Birth	Fremantle, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	19 years old
Description	5'8" (1.73m) tall ; ; fresh complexion ; grey eyes ; black hair ; tattoo on left forearm
Occupation	Labourer
Religion	Presbyterian
Address	Lot 5 Holden road, Roleystone, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Norma Gwen Every
Military Information
Reg Number	R24182
Date of Enlistment	19 Mar 1940
Rank	Sergeant Class 2
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	14 Apr 1941 ‒ 19 Nov 1944
Transport Details	HMAS Bendigo
2nd Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	20 Nov 1944 ‒ 8 Jan 1946
Transport Details	HMAS Dubbo
3rd Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	10 Sep 1948 ‒ 1 Dec 1949
Transport Details	HMAS Parkes
4th Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	8 May 1950
Transport Details	HMAS Tobruk
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1945-75

War Service

On 19 Mar 1940 Victor enlisted for 12 years and at HMAS Cerberus he was rated an Assistant Cook. This changed to Cook on 19 Mar 1941 before he joined the minesweeper HMAS Bendigo based at HMAS Penguin in Sydney on 14 Apr 1941 as a member of its inaugural crew. He was to remain with the Bendigo until 19 Nov 1944. The ship was to spend two months in Darwin prior to joining the China Squadron in Singapore from September 1941 until 24 Nov 1941 when she became a unit in the 21st Minesweeping Squadron. In January 1942 she was engaged in sweeping, escort and patrol duties, remaining in Singapore. On 2 Feb 1942 two near misses caused extensive scaring to her paintwork, and she spent February dodging Japanese planes as she operated in the Java Sea before heading for Fremantle.

In Australian waters she escorted Australian convoys up the east coast and to Papua New Guinea until 1944, and during this time, Victor was granted his first Good Conduct Badge on 19 Mar 1943. In February 1944 she began duty in New Guinea waters for the rest of the year. On Bendigo's return to Australia, Victor was posted to HMAS Dubbo another of the fleet of minesweepers as a Leading Cook from 20 Nov 1944 until 8 Jan 1946. During this time she transferred from Fremantle to Darwin, and then in April 1945 to New Guinea waters. For the remainder of the war she was employed supporting Australian land forces in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, including minesweeping duties at the end of hostilities until Oct 1945 when she entered Brisbane for a long refit.

Post War

Victor was to spend from 9 Jan 1946 until 9 Sep 1948 ashore, during which time he was granted his second Good Conduct Badge on 19 Mar 1948. He then served on the HMAS Parkes, the last of the 60 minesweepers to be built, from 10 Sep 1948 until 1 Dec 1949. On 2 Dec 1949 he was promoted Acting Petty Officer (Cook) at HMAS Penguin before joining HMAS Tobruk on 8 May 1950.

Granted his third Good Conduct Badge on 19 Mar 1952, Victor joined the Naval Dockyard Police on 21 Jul 1952. On 3 Jun 1954 Victor passed the Naval Dockyard Police Training course, and on 19 Mar 1955 he was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. His service with the Dockyard Police included time at the Byford Naval facility. Victor was discharged on 23 Sep 1968.