William Stewart Geary

William Stewart Geary

Personal Information
Date of Birth	12 May 1926
Place of Birth	Toodyay, Western Australia
Death	1 Dec 1991
Place of Death	Carmel, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	18 years, 1 month
Description	5'6" (1.68m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; dark hair ; Scar above left knee
Occupation	Unemployed
Religion	Roman Catholic
Address	Bunbury road, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Mother , Mrs Ruby Eva Geary
Military Information
Reg Number	WX22882
Date of Enlistment	6 Jun 1944
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	1st Australian Advance Ordnance Depot
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia BCOF Japan
Medals	War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1945-75

War Service

William enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 6 June 1944 and was sent to the Reinforcment Depot at Claremont. On 14 June he was transferred to the 35th Australian Recruit Training Company before moving east and joining the 2nd Australian Infantry Training Brigade on 9 Sep 1944. There he entered the 21st Australian Infantry Training Battalion on 16 Sep 1944. Two days later he was transferred to the 3rd Motor Transport Training Depot to undertake Course No. 96 Driver - Transport.

On 15 Dec 1944 William returned to the 21st Australian Infantry Training Battalion. On 17 January 1945 William was charged with "Disobeying a Lawfull Command given by his superior Officer", for which he was fined £3 ($6.00 or 10 day's pay). On 2 Feb 1945 he was transferred to the 13/33rd Australian Infantry Battalion. Deemed proficient and granted Proficiency Pay, William was then sent to the Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion (Jungle Warfare) at Canungra on 18 May 1945.

William was posted back to Western Australia's Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot on leave. On 9 Sep 1945 he embarked in Sydney aboard RMS Maloja for Fremantle where he disembarked on 16 Sep 1945 and enjoyed leave before joining the unit on 12 Oct 1945. On 17 Oct 1945 he was posted to the 5th Australian Ordnance Vehicle Park. On 19 Oct 1945 William was charged with 'having failed to appear at a place of parade', for which he was fined £1 ($2 - 4 day's pay). On 6 Feb 1946 he had returned to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for reassignment and on 9 Feb 1946 he joined the 16th Australian Infantry Training Battalion.

On 6 Apr 1946 in Bathurst, New South Wales, William was charged in a Civil Court with "Drunkenness" with the case heard on 8 Apr 1946 and his punishment being the forfeit of his bail (10 Shillings). The following day he was posted to the '3rd Infantry Brigade Reinforcement Camp' and he boarded HMAS Manoora in Sydney the same day for Kure in Japan where he disembarked on 26 Apr 1946 and was initially allocated to the 34th Reception Camp. They transferred him the same day to the 21st Australian Advanced Ordnance Depot.

On 28 May 1946 William was admitted to the 92nd Indian General Hospital, rejoining his unit on 31 May 1946. On 18 June he was again admitted to the 92nd Indian Hospital, this time identified as having Gonorrhea, before rejoining his unit on 21 June. On his return to the unit he faced a charge of having been AWOL from 11:00pm on 20 June until 1:00am the next day, and for Neglecting to Obey Hospital Orders. He was fined 10/- ($1) and awarded 14 days Confined to Barracks. He ha dhis Proficiency Pay cancelled on 27 June. On 6 July 1946 he again entered the hospital for treastment, rejoining his unit on the 21 Jun 1946. On 4 Jul 1946 he was again in trouble, and was charged with an 'Conduct to the prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline', for which he was awarded 14 day's Detention by his Commanding Officer, entering the 22nd Australian Detenion Barracks the same day. However, on 8 Jul 1946 he was evacuated to the 92nd Indian Hospital again. He rejoined his unit on 8 Aug 1946.

William was admitted to the 130th Australian General Hospital on 17 Sep 1946 for treatment of Polyarthritis. He was discharged back to his unit on 12 Oct 1946, and on 15 Oct 1946 he was charged with: 1) Failing to appear at a place of parade appointed by his Commanding Officer; and 2) Conduct to the prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline. His penalty was a Fine of £3 ($6), and the loss of 14 day's pay as he was again sentenced to 14 days detention. He entered the 22nd Australian Detention Barracks on 21 Oct 1946, and returned to his unit on 31 Oct 1946. While in detention he seems to have been medically assessed as A2 (joints) and unsuited to driving motor vehicles. On 20 Dec 1946 William was admitted to the 92nd Indian Hospital for treatment of Urethritis and Scabies. William rejoined his unit on 29 Dec 1946.

On 18 Apr 1947 Willima had his Proficiency Pay restored, but on 1 July his status changed from proficient to Pte - 1 Star. On 8 July he was charged with 'Neglecting to Obey Force Routine Orders'. For this he was admonished by his CO. He embarked in Kure, Japan aboard HMAS Manoora on 4 Oct 1947 for Sydney where he and 559 other troops disembarked on 18 Oct 1947. William was taken on strength by the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot on 24 Oct 1947 and on 30 Nov 1947 placed on the unalloted List, leading to his discharge on 15 Jan 1948.

Post War

During 1948 Bill married June Margaret Bell .

Electoral Roll entries: 1954 at Nightcliffe, Darwin, spray painter ; 1963 at 770 Crisp street, Rapid Creek, Northern territory, painter; 1968 at P.O. Store, Yorkrakine, Western Australia, storekeeper; 1972 at 76 Connelly street, Kilburn, painter