Difference between revisions of "2nd (Fremantle) VDC Battalion"
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* [[William Thomas Saw]] 22 Mar - 20 Dec 1942 | * [[William Thomas Saw]] 22 Mar - 20 Dec 1942 | ||
* [[Thomas Scott]] 22 Mar 1942 - 20 Dec 1942 | * [[Thomas Scott]] 22 Mar 1942 - 20 Dec 1942 | ||
− | * [[Harry Siebner]] 29 Mar 1942 - | + | * [[Harry Siebner]] 29 Mar 1942 - 13 Aug 1944 |
* [[Clarence Edwin Smith]] 22 Mar 1942 - ?? | * [[Clarence Edwin Smith]] 22 Mar 1942 - ?? | ||
* [[Percival Stubbs]] 29 Mar 1942 - ?? | * [[Percival Stubbs]] 29 Mar 1942 - ?? |
Revision as of 20:04, 16 April 2021
Brief History
Volunteer defence Corps (VDC) Battalions were initially raised outside the military framework by the RSL who were keen to be involved in any defence of Australia. Formed in July 1940 they had no formal role, until they were taken over by the Army and incorporated in the CMF on 15 May 1941. Other civilian units included the Vulnerable Points Guard and teh Post Office Volunteer Corps. Once taken over they were tasked with being prepared to strengthen/reinforce Garrison Battalions who were formed to contribute to the defence of Australia; provide staff for internment camps; and guard vulnerable points. Original recruitment was men with previous Imperial Military Service, those under 60 being available for full time duties. In February 1940 4,464 men were enlisted in Western Australian VDC units. Australia wide there were 110 VDC Battalions in October 1942. Australia wide there were 49 fatalities amongst VDC personnel, with one in Western Australia.
When formed from the south western suburbs of Perth, its Headquarters were in South Perth. 'A' Company was drawn from Fremantle, East Fremantle and Spearwood; 'B' Company from Melville, South Perth and Victoria Park; 'C' Company from Belmont, Kalamunda, Cannington, and Gosnells; 'D' Company from Armadale, Mundijong and Kelmscott; 'E' Company (Signals, Trench Mortars, and Transport).
They established coast watch points at trig Point, Mt Flora, Mt Brown, Cape Peron, Becher Point and Stake Hill. They assisted with the preparation of defensive positions in the Kenwick area. On call out, their main role would be to form into platoons to provide active and passive defence of their area while manning road blocks, demolishing bridges and other areas if necessary and as a last resort to implement guerilla warfare if the area was overrun. When the troops returned from the Middle East, VDC units were provided with conventional training and in the new defence plan in August 1942 the 2nd VFC Battalion, on call out, was tasked with concentrating at Fremantle and defending the port and Arthur Battery. By August 1943 the various Anti-Aircraft and Searchlight Batteries had local members from the VDC Battalions attached. B Coy 2 VDC Battalion along with A & E Companies from 3 VDC Battalion formed the 29th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery (VDC). C Coy 2nd VDC Battalion joined C Coy from 1 VDC Battalion to form 660th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery (VDC). A Coy 2 DVC Battalion and E Coy 1 VDC Battalion formed 661st Light Anti Aircraft Battery (VDC). While E Coy 2nd VDC Battalion became Harbour Battery (VDC). These operated as 'shadow' units to their AMF units with which they worked. By early 1945 the threat was low enough that the VDC units were placed in reserve. Some VDC units continued to parade without military assistance, and they were not formally disbanded until mid-1946.
Members of the VDC were awarded the Australian Service Medal 1939-45 for three years part time service. Some who served full time qualified for the War Medal 1939-45.
Battalion Personnel
- Ronald Vincent Aitken 22 Mar 1942 - 20 Nov 1944
- William Alderson 8 Apr 1942 - 7 Feb 1944
- Vincent Edgecombe Alexander 22 Mar 1942 - 14 Oct 1943
- Joseph Victor Allen 8 Apr 1942 - 16 Feb 1944
- Victor Ross Anderson 28 Feb 1943 - 23 Nov 1943
- George Neil Gow Armstrong 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Wilfred Henry Babb 29 Mar 1942 - 14 Apr 1944
- John Arthur Banyard 26 Apr 1942 - 5 Mar 1944
- George Walker Beales 22 Mar 1942 - 20 Jun 1944
- William John Bennett 8 Jul 1942 - 1 May 1945
- George Bett 22 Mar 1942 - 7 Feb 1944
- Arthur Leworthy Bettenay 22 Mar 1943 - 5 May 1944
- Charles Leonard Bishop 22 Mar 1942 - 17 Apr 1944
- Robert Keith Blackburn 22 Mar 1942 - 22 Sep 1944
- James (Roy) Braidwood MM MID 8 Sep 1944 - 1 May 1945
- Alfred Thomas Brixey 29 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Albert Edward Brockwell 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- James George Brockwell 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Henry Gottlieb Brooks 22 Mar 1942 - 7 Jan 1944
- Alan James Brown 22 Mar 1942 - 7 Feb 1944
- Albert Victor Buckingham 29 Mar 1942 - 24 Jan 1944
- Ronald William Buckingham 17 Feb 1942 - 6 Mar 1945
- Leonard James Burton 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Ernest Frank Butson22 Mar 1942 - 30 Jul 1944
- Allan Bernard Cann 22 Apr 1942 - 15 Oct 1945
- Walter Charles Cann 22 Mar 1942 - 13 Aug 1944
- Leonard Charles Cant 22 Mar 1942 - 2 Feb 1944
- Roy Cameron-Smith 16 Apr 1942 - 18 Jan 1945
- Frederick Charles Clarke 16 Jun 1942 - 15 Oct 1945
- James Collier 27 Jun 1942 - 1 May 1945
- William Frederick Cox 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- John James Croasdale 22 Mar 1942 - 24 Sep 1944
- Hammond Thomas Cross 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Leslie Cornelius Cull 22 Mar 1942 - 7 Feb 1944
- Melville Eric Cull 22 Mar 1942 - 7 Feb 1944
- William Hasker Davenport 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Alfred James Davies 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Stanley Gordon Demasson 22 Mar - 6 Aug 1942
- John Victor Doley 29 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- William Dykes Dougall 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Harold George Dyson 26 Apr 1942 - 23 Nov 1943
- Donald Alexander Eatts 28 Jun 1942 - 18 Dec 1944
- Gordon James Eatts 22 Mar 1942 - 26 Apr 1944
- John Ernest England 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Eric William Evans 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 19456
- Austin Faulkner 22 Mar 1942 - 4 Dec 1944
- Stewart Roderick Angus Ferguson 23 Mar 1942 - 5 Jun 1944
- Raymond Foster 28 Feb 1943 - 23 Nov 1943
- Henry Victor Francis 22 Sep 1942 - 30 Aug 1944
- Francis William French 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Henry (Neil) Fretwell 22 Mar 1942 - 28 Jul 1945
- Dennis Douglas Frye 26 Jan 1942 - 30 Aug 1944
- Leonard Edward Golding 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Robert Edward Gray 22 Mar 1942 - 1 Oct 1943 to join RAAF
- David Gwynne 22 Mar 1942 - 11 Sep 1944
- Spencer Gwynne DCM MID early 1942 - to 4th (Bunbury) VDC Battalion
- William Hall ww2 22 Mar 1942 - 30 Jul 1944
- Bernard Alphonsus Hastie 22 Mar 1942 - 22 Sep 1944
- Raymond Douglas Hibben 28 Mar 1943 - 1 May 1945
- John Edward Hill 15 Jan 1942 - 5 Oct 1944
- John Hinsley 29 Mar 1942 - 27 Aug 1943
- Percy Sydney Holman 22 Mar 1942 - 19 Feb 1944
- Maxwell Robert Joyner 24 Mar 1943 - 7 Feb 1944
- Reginald Robert Kennedy 28 Feb - 23 Nov 1943
- James Alexander Kierath MID 22 Mar 1942 - 7 Feb 1944
- Richard Knuckey 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- James William Lannam 22 Mar 1942 - 7 Feb 1944
- Edward James (Jim) Lawrence 29 May 1943 - 16 Aug 1943
- Frank Lillicott (Jim) Leaver 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Harry Leaver 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Norman Frederick Lee 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Ramsay MacDonald (Mack) Lightbody 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- George William Lockhead 23 mar 1942 - 13 Mar 1944
- John Roy Longmore 29 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- Eaneas Malthais Lorenz 22 Mar 1942 - 30 Apr 1943
- Joseph Charles Lori 23 Mar 1942 - 14 Aug 1944
- Jack Alfred Luff 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- William (George) Lyster 22 Mar 1942 - 23 Feb 1945
- Alfred Septimus Martin 28 Feb 1943 - 24 Jan 1944
- Ernest Gordon Martin 22 Mar 1942 - 22 Oct 1943 - to RAAF
- George Henry Martin MM MID 22 Mar 1942 - 11 Jan 1944
- Herbert (Bert) Martin 22 Mar 1942 - 30 Jul 1944
- Harold Jesse William (Charlie) Masters 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- James Michael Thomas Mathews 5 Mar 1943 - 1 May 1944
- Emanuel Mills 28 Feb - 15 Nov 1943
- August Young Moennich 22 Mar 1942 - 1 May 1945
- William George Morcombe 22 Mar 1942 - ??
- Matthew Oliver Mullane 22 Mar 1942 - ??
- Harry Eric Nairn 22 Mar 1942 - ??
- Norman Henry Napier 3 Apr 1942 - ??
- Stephen North 22 Mar 1942 - ??
- John Edward Roland Pailthorpe 20 Apr 1943 - ??
- Reginald Arthur Pascoe 22 Mar 1942 - ??
- Frederick Thomas Payne 22 Mar 1942 - ??
- Clement Edward Pike 16 Jul 1942 - ??
- Leslie Raymond Poad 22 Mar 1942 - 7 Feb 1944
- Henry Powell 22 Mar 1942 - ??
- David Langus Pumphrey 22 Mar 1942 - ??
- Robert James Ralphs 26 Apr 1942 - ??
- Edward Hughes Raymond 16 Jul 1942 - ??
- John Norman Roberts 26 Apr 1942 - ??
- Talbot Samuel Salter 22 Mar 1942 - 30 Jul 1944
- Eldred James Saw 28 Feb 1943 - 12 Mar 1943
- William Thomas Saw 22 Mar - 20 Dec 1942
- Thomas Scott 22 Mar 1942 - 20 Dec 1942
- Harry Siebner 29 Mar 1942 - 13 Aug 1944
- Clarence Edwin Smith 22 Mar 1942 - ??
- Percival Stubbs 29 Mar 1942 - ??
- John William Valli 26 Apr 1942 - ??
- Archie George Veitch 22 Mar 1942 - ??
- Samuel Edward Ward 22 Mar 1942 - 11 Aug 1944
- Alan Harry Wilkinson 22 Mar 1942 - 21 Aug 1943
- Reginald Owen Williams 3 Apr 1942 - ??
- Ernest Wood 22 Mar 1942 - ??
Notes
Content has come from The Unit Guide - Volume 6 - The Australian Army 1939-1945 , pages 6.082 - 6.084 - Graham R McKenzie-Smith - Big Sky Publishing - 2018