Alan Henry Brockwell

Alan Henry Brockwell

Personal Information
Date of Birth	18 Jun 1913
Place of Birth	Boulder, Western Australia
Death	23 Feb 1995, aged 81
Place of Death	Safety Bay, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	28 years, 7 months
Description
Occupation	carpenter
Religion	Church of England
Address	Byford, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Ms Catherine Ann Brockwell
Military Information
Reg Number	WX19454
Date of Enlistment	2 Feb 1942
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	2/5th Australian Infantry Battalion
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	24 Nov 1944 ‒ 25 Nov 1944
Transport Details	HMT Duntroon Cairns to Aitape, PNG
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	24 Dec 1945 ‒ 31 Dec 1945
Transport Details	HMT Taroona Wewak to Brisbane
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia

Pre War

In 1924 the family were living in Clifton road, Byford. Electoral Roll entries: 1936 Byford, labourer; 1937 at Corunna Downs station, Marble Bar, station hand. On 23 Dec 1941 Alan married Catherine Ann Rinaldi in Gedraldton.

War Service

Enlisted at Claremont on 2 Feb 1942, and a week later was sent to the Trade Training Depot in Claremont. Six months later on 24 Aug 1942 he was transferred to the 13th Australian Infantry Training Battalion at Northam and was taken on by the AIF General Reinforcements. On 23 Sep 1942 Alan was detached to the 7th Australian Army Troops Company and on 7 Dec 1942 he was detached to 66th Australian DCRE (Works) Merredin where he remained until 29 Sep 1943. On 19 Nov 1943 Alan was posted to the 44th Australian Infantry Battalion (West Australian Rifle Regiment) which on 11 Feb 1944 entrained for Queensland. In June 1944 Alan was granted a lengthy break from service in WA, part annual leave, part LWOP, and part compasionate. On 15 Sep 1944 he returned from leave and began the journey back to his new unit the 2/5th Australian Infantry Battalion which he joined on 21 Sep 1944.

Alan embarked on the HMT Duntroon in Cairns on 24 Nov 1944, disembarking in Aitape on 27 Nov 1944 and he served with the 2/5th Battalion until it was winding down in order to return to Australia. On 21 Nov 1945 Alan was transferred to the 2/7th Australian Infantry Battalion and on 8 Dec 1945 to the 2/2nd Australian Infantry Battalion. Alan embarked on HMT Taroona in Wewak on 24 Dec 1945 and disembarked in Brisbane on 31 Dec 1945. On 2 Jan 1946 Alan was posted to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot to organise his discharge which occurred on 22 Jan 1946.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1954 Wickepin, builder with Catherine Ann; 1963 at Mardathuna Station, Carnarvon, job contractor; 1968 - 1977 at 5 Hehir street Belmont, builder; 1980 at 28 Matthews Place. Belmont, retired. Catherine Ann died 31 May 1975 at Belmont, aged 68