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Francis Malarkey

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Francis Malarkey
Malarkey Francis.jpg
Personal Information
Date of Birth 5 Nov 1913
Place of Birth Narrogin, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment 27 years, 4 months
Occupation Market gardener
Religion Roman Catholic
Address PO Byford, Western Australia
Next of Kin Father , Mr Henry William Malarkey
Military Information
Reg Number WX3211
Date of Enlistment 22 May 1940
Rank Private
Unit/Formation 2nd/16th Australian Infantry Battalion
Medals 1939-45 Star
Africa Star
Pacific Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 193-45
Australian Services Medal 1939-45



Pre War

War Service

Enlisted 22 May 1940 and immediately identified for the 2nd/16th Battalion. Granted 8 days leave without pay, he was taken on strength on 30 May in Northam. From 24 Jun until 1 Jul 1940 he needed treatment at the Northam military hospital. In need of hospital from 21 - 29 Aug 1940 with influenza, before being granted sick leave at home from 3-11 Sep 1940. From 27 Sep until 4 Oct 1940 he was granted pre-embarkation leave, and on 25 Oct 1940 the battalion boarded HMT Aquitania for the Middle East where they disembarked in 25 Nov 1940.

The battalion undertook defensive duties along the Egyptian–Libyan border in early 1941 before taking part in the Syria–Lebanon campaign, fighting against Vichy French forces in June and July. At the conclusion of the campaign, the 2/16th remained in Lebanon, contributing to the Allied occupation force there. However, with Japan's entry into the war, they were to return to Australia, and on 29 Jan 1942 Francis boarded the SS Île de France which was a part of the Operation Pamphlet Convoy. On the way home records show that men were transhipped in Bombay. However an authoritive source "Across the Sea to War" by Peter Plowman describes the convoy as sailing well to the south of India to the Addu Atoll, the southernmost of the Maldive Islands, known as Port T, a secret port not known to the Japanese. It would have been here that Francis and his colleagues transferred on 11 Feb 1942 to the SS Kosciusko which disembarked in Adelaide on 25 Feb 1942. While on the "Kosciusko" Francis was on 3 Mar 1942 charged with Neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, for which he was awarded 4 days CB (extra duties).

Soon after arrival in South Australia, the battalion was sent to Queensland to prepare for a move to Papua New Guinea, and on 6 Aug 1942 they embarked on the SS James Fenimore Cooper


Discharged 19 Dec 1943==

Post War

Notes


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