Leon Ernest Aubrey
From Our Contribution
 Ancestry.com | |
 Pay book photo | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 23 Sep 1916 |
| Place of Birth | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 13 Aug 1984, aged 67 |
| Place of Death | War Veteran's Homes, Mt Lawley, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 23 years, 11 months |
| Description | 5'6¼" (1.68m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; auburn hair |
| Occupation | Tramway conductor |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | 7 Mint street, Victoria Park, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Beryl Moree Aubrey |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W2615 |
| Date of Enlistment | 19 Aug 1940 |
| Rank | Gunner |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 11 Mar 1945 ‒ 17 Mar 1945 |
| Transport Details | HMT Katoomba Townsville to Jacquinot Bay, New Britain |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 28 May 1945 ‒ 1 Jun 1945 |
| Transport Details | SS Van Outhoorn Jacquinot bay to Cairns |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entry: 1937 at 39 Cargill street, South Perth, labourer
War Service
Leon enlisted in the part time CMF at the Drill Hall, Bazaar Terrace, Perth on 19 Aug 1940. Leon was taken on the strength of the 3rd Field regiment at Karrakatta on 9 Oct 1940, and was sent to Narrogin camp for training until 18 Dec 1940. His next full time camp was held from 31 Mar 1941 until 28 Jun 1941, again at Narrogin.
He was called up for full time duty on 26 Sep 1941. On the same day he was evacuated to the 110th Australian Base Hospital who released him on 14 Oct 1941 to the York Convalescent Home, but on 30 Oct 1941 he was admitted to the Northam Military Hospital who released him to duty the following day. On 8 Jan 1942 he was transferred to the 5th Anti-Aircraft Battery (M) at Fremantle. From 13 - 27 May 1942 he was granted leave, before being posted on 22 Aug 1942 to 419th Gun Station. This changed on 18 September to the 423 Gun Station at South beach, a part of the 29th Australian Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery.
On 13 Nov 1942 Leon was admitted to 110th Australian Base Hospital who released him for a Medical Board which classified him as Class B and he was transferred on 23 Feb 1943 to the Western Command Recruit & Reinforcement Reception Depot in Claremont. Three days later he was posted to the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion on Rottnest. On 30 Mar 1943 he was charged with having been improperly dressed for which he was admonished. In September he was granted 9 days leave. The setting must have agreed with him as on 27 Jan 1944 he was reclassified as Medical Class A1, and granted proficiency pay, and on 2 Sep 1944, Leon married Beryl Moree Batten (1921 - 1973) at Bassendean, Western Australia. Beryl's address was the AWAS, Oliver's Battery, Rottnest.
On 2 Nov 1944 Leon was posted to the 19th Australian Garrison Battalion before on 1 Dec 1944 being placed on a train for the eastern states - 1st Australian Base Personnel Depot. Arriving on 10 December he was held by the base unit until 23 Jan 1945 when he joined 5 AARD and on 6 Feb 1945 to the 5th Australian Division's Recreation Camp unit which embarked on the HMT Katoomba on 10 March for Jacquinot Bay on New Britain. Three days after his arrival he was posted to the 6th Australian Field Ambulance with whom he served until after he arrived back in Australia in late August 1945. On 13 Sep 1945 Leon was transferred to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot who arranged his discharge on 8 Nov 1945.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 Doust street, Welshpool, pitman; 1954 Clayton street, Newburn, pitman; 1954 at 4 Ivanhoe street, Bassendean, storeman; 1963 at 66 Anzac terrace, Bassendean, storekeeper; 1968 - 1980 at 11 Briggs street, Bassendean, storekeeper. Children were Lorraine C; Anita H; Norma J, Murray E, and Keith R discharged 8 Nov 1945.
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