Hubert James (Jim) Gale

Hubert James (Jim) Gale

Personal Information
Date of Birth	12 Sep 1921
Place of Birth	Perth, Western Australia
Death	15 Apr 2011, aged 89
Place of Death	Swanview, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	20 years, 6 months
Description	5'4" (1.63m) tall ; ; medium complexion ; green eyes ; black hair ; scar on right thigh
Occupation	Farm hand
Religion	Church of England
Address	Caradine road, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr. Edgar Gale
Military Information
Reg Number	WX21175
Date of Enlistment	16 Mar 1942
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	2/3rd Australian Railway Construction Company
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	21 Nov 1944 ‒ 25 Nov 1944
Transport Details	SS Van Heutsz Cairns to Jacquinot Bay, New Britain
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	20 Jul 1945 ‒ 26 Jul 1945
Transport Details	SS Ormiston Jaquinot Bay, New Britain to Brisbane
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

War Service

On 16 Mar 1942 Jim enlisted in the 2nd AIF, and although initially allocated to Signals reinforcements, he was posted to the 1st Australian Armoured Division Salvage Unit, and on 1 Apr 1942 he entrained for Melbourne where the unit was concentrating for training at Puckapunyal. On 8 Jun 1942 Jim was admitted to the 107th Australian General Hospital. He was returned to his unit on 14 Jun 1942, and they then moved to New South Wales on 11 Jul 1942. Jim was AWOL from 6:00pm on 20 Jul 1942 until 8:00pm on 20 Jul 1942. Hi sounishment was a fine of £1 and the loss of a day's pay.

Jim was suffering with a sprained ankle and was admitted first to the 2/3rd Australian Casualty Clearing Station on 11 Aug 1942. They then had him admitted to the 102nd Australian General Hospital at Tamworth ,remaining with them until 19 Sep 1942 when he rejoined his unit. On 30 Nov 1942 Jim was transferred to Western Australia on a leave break that was extende when he was granted a period of LWOP, rejoining his unit on 2 Mar 1943. On 16 Jun 1943 Jim was admitted toteh 2/14th Australian Light Field Ambulance having taken a reaction to his innoculations. He returned to his unit on 20 Jun 1943. On 15 Dec 1943 Jim was detached to Point Walter Camp before being granted LWOP from 8 Jan 1944 until 19 Feb 1944, rejoining his unit on 24 Feb 1944.

On 4 Mar 1944 Jim entrained for Queensland and from 15 June until 13 August he attended an 'Army Cooking & Catering Course. At its completion he was transferred to the Catering Corps and was graded a TG2 Cook. On 23 Aug 1944 he was transferred to the 2/3rd Australian Railway Construction Company. They embarked on SS Van Heutsz at Cairns on 21 Nov 1944 for Jacquinot Bay on New Britain, disembarking there on 25 Nov 1944. On 20 Jul 1945 Jim embarked on SS Ormiston at San Jacinta Bay for Brisbane where he disembarked on 26 Jul 1945. He was sent back to Perth, and on 28 Sep 1945 was posted to the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion until 8 Oct 1945 when he was posted to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot where he was discharged on 12 Oct 1945.

Post War

In 1944 Hubert married Maisie J Higham, and in 1952 he remarried, this time to Ellen J. Sander. Hubert had three sons with Maisie.

Electoral Roll entries: 1954 Kelly street, Donnybrook, butcher; 1963 - 1980 at 21 Stannard street, Bentley, butcher (with Maureen Ida);