Ernest Emanuel Mills

Ernest Emanuel Mills

Personal Information
Date of Birth	7 May 1916
Place of Birth	Armadale, Western Australia
Death	1 Apr 2006, aged 89
Place of Death	Perth, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	24 years, 4 months
Description	5'9½" (1.76m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; hazel eyes ; brown hair
Occupation	Bus driver
Religion	Congregational
Address	Seventh road, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr Emanuel Mills
Military Information
Reg Number	W942 & WX26120
Date of Enlistment	22 Jul 1942
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	2/7th Transport Platoon
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	27 May 1945 ‒ 13 Jun 1945
Transport Details	LST 911 Cairns to Morotai
Transfers
Journey Dates	9 Jul 1945 ‒ 10 Jul 1945
Transport Details	LST 1007 Morotai to Balikpapan
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	23 Dec 1945 ‒ 31 Dec 1945
Transport Details	USAT Kings Point Victory Balikpapan to Brisbane
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia

War Service

On 3 Sep 1940 Ernest was enlisted into the CMF at Victoria Park and allocated to the 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment ww2. On 5 Jan 1941 he entered training camp at Bunbury and while Part time participated in training. He was called up for full time duty on 24 Dec 1941 and almost immediately was charged at Wanneroo on 17 Jan 1942 with Failing to appear at a place of parade for which he was fined 6/- (60 cents) or a day's pay. On 24 Mar 1942 he was appointed Lance Corporal while with the 10th Recce Battalion and on 15 May 1942 he was again guilty of AWOL, and again was fined 6/- while being reprimanded. Soon afterwards on 4 Jun 1942 he reverted to the rank of Private. Ernest then enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 22 Jul 1942 and was allocated a new number (WX26120).

In September 1942 Ernest commenced a driver/Maintenance course, followed by one for mechanics from 12 Dec 1942 to 6 Mar 1943, qualifying as Trade Group II Mechanic. He was granted leave before joining the 10th Light Horse as a mechanic on 6 Mar 1943. On the 22nd he was transferred on paper to AEME which was taking responsibility for related trades. On 12 May 1944 Ernest entrained in Perth for NSW where on 27 May 1944 he was posted to the 1st Australian Base Depot Personnel. On 12 Jun 1944 he was sent north to the Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion (Jungle Warfare) and following training was posted to the 2/7th Australian Transport Platoon on 30 Oct 1944. Three days later he was sent on a Waterproofing course.

On 9 Jul 1945 Ernest embarked on USS LST 911 in Cairns for Morotai where he disembarked on 13 Jun 1945. On 9 Jul he then embarked on USS LST 1007 at Morotai for Balikpapan where he disembarked a day or so later. Hostilities over and troop numbers began to decrease leading to units shedding men saw Ernest transferred to the 2/9th Australian Transport Platoon on 28 Nov 1945 before he embarked on 23 Dec 1945 aboard USAT Kings Point Victory at Balikpapan for Brisbane where he disembarked on 31 Dec 1945. On 12 Jan 1946 he had reached Perth and was posted to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for discharge on 25 Feb 1946.

Post War

During 1946 Ernest married Audrey Booth (maiden name was Gettingby). Audrey died 13 Aug 1976, aged 57.

Electoral Roll entries: 1958 - 1968 at Third road, Armadale, truck driver; 1972 - 1980 at 421 Railway avenue, truck driver