Edward James (Jim) Lawrence

Edward James (Jim) Lawrence

Personal Information
Date of Birth	12 Jul 1924
Place of Birth	Gloucester, England
Death	14 Mar 2013 aged 88
Place of Death	Byford, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	21 years, 1 month (2nd AIF)
Description	5'8½" (1.74m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; brown eyes ; black hair
Occupation	Farmer
Religion	Church of England
Address	Byford, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr. Earnest George Lawrence
Military Information
Reg Number	W53945 & WX22560
Date of Enlistment	29 May 1943
Rank	Lance Corporal
Unit/Formation	2nd (Fremantle) VDC Battalion & 2/4th Australian Infantry Battalion
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	28 Oct 1944 ‒ 1 Nov 1944
Transport Details	USAT Mexico Cairns to Aitape, PNG
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	11 Mar 1946 ‒ 17 Mar 1946
Transport Details	SS Vito Rabaul to Sydney
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument(s)	ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford)
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

Jim emigrated to Australia with his fmaily on TSS Diogenes, travelling third class, and landing at Albany during 1926. With Jim was his Fathger AErnest George,; mother Lillian Rose; Ernest Stanley (6), Albert George (5); Frederick (3); sister I? (2). Jim was the baby.

War Service

Original enlistment was on 29 May 1943 with the 2nd (Fremantle) VDC Battalion, however, on 17 Aug 1943 at Karrakatta he changed his enlistment to full time with the 2nd AIF. On 30 Aug 1943 he was sent to Northam to join the 13th Australian Infantry Training Battalion, and he then progressed to join the 4th Australian Signals Training Unit. However, after only 6 days he was again back with the 13th Training Battalion. On 6 Dec 1943 he was transferred to the 3rd Australian Infantry Special Group until 20 Jan 1944 when he again rejoined the 13th Training Battalion.

On 27 May 1944 Jim was transferred to the HQ 2nd Australian Infantry Training Brigade in NSW and on 2 Jun 1944 he was posted to the 23rd Australian Infantry Training Battalion. On 20 Jul 1944 Jim was moved again, this time to the Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion (Jungle Warfare) at Canungra in Qld, followed on 11 Sep 1944 when he was posted to the 2/4th Australian Infantry Battalion. On 1 Oct 1944 he was granted profficiency pay, backdated to 17 Feb 1944.

Jim boarded the USAT Mexico in Cairns on 28 Oct 1944 for Aitape in New Guinea, disembarking there on 1 November, and the next day he was detached to HQ 19th Australian Infantry Brigade until 5 Mar 1945 when he returned to the 2/4th Battalion. He was admitted to the 2/7th Australian Field Ambulance with dysentry from 24 May - 1 Jun 1945 before being passed on to the 104th Australian Casualty Clearing Station on 2 Jun 1945. On 11 July he was able to return to his unit and was with them until he was posted to the 35th Australian Infantry Battalion on 6 Oct 1945, where on 24 Oct 1945 he was appointed Lance Corporal. On 4 Jan 1946 he was on the move again, this time to the 28th Australian Infantry Battalion (The Swan Regiment). Finally on 11 Mar 1946 he embarked on the SS Vito in Rabaul for Sydney, disembarkling on 17 Mar 1945. Following a period of leave he was demobilised on 27 Jun 1946 by the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot

Post War

Jim married Elizabeth Aarts on 20 Feb 1954 at Byford. Jim died on 14 Mar 2013, and Elizabeth 16 Jul 2020. Both lived in Byford until at least 1980, with Jim's occupation on Electorla Rolls given as a labourer.