Harold Frank Pyke

Harold Frank Pyke

Personal Information
Date of Birth	8 Jul 1903
Place of Birth	London, England
Death	31 Jul 1975, aged 72
Place of Death	Armadale, Western AUstralia
Age at Enlistment	38 years old
Description	5'9" (1.75m) tall ; ; medium complexion ; grey eyes ; brown hair ; scar on left forearm
Occupation	Pipe fitter
Religion	Church of England
Address	Church avenue, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Mabel Irene Pyke
Military Information
Reg Number	WX33493
Date of Enlistment	19 Sep 1941
Rank	Staff Sergeant
Unit/Formation	13th Australian Field Company
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	25 Nov 1944 ‒ 3 Sec 1944
Transport Details	SS Jane Addams Darwin to Jacquinot Bay, New Britain
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	8 Dec 1945 ‒ 13 Dec 1945
Transport Details	HMAS Westralia Rabaul to Brisbane
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

Electoral Roll entries: 1928 at 158 Lake street, North Perth, Labourer; 1929 - 1931 at 16 Kelvin street, Maylands, labourer; 1936 - 1943 at Church avenue, Armadale, labourer.

Prior to him moving to Western Australia, he had passed the Junior Exams at Sale in the Gippsland region, Victoria.

Frank married Mabel Irene Wain in 1928. Children Leslie Harold (1929-2018); another male; and Zoe P (1932 - ).

War Service

Prior to enlistment in the 2nd AIF on 22 Jul 1942 Frank was serving with the CMF with Regimental Number W4052 in the 13th Australian Field Company RAE at Claremont from 17 Sep 1940 until 19 Sep 1941 on a part time basis, and then full time from 19 Sep 1941 until 21 Jul 1942. In February 1941 he had been promoted Corporal and later that year on 21 Nov 1941 he had been appointed a Lance Sergeant. On 21 Jan 1942 he had been detached to the Mobile Force at Melville camp. On 19 Feb 1942 he was sent to the Water School and on 28 May 1942 he was granted five days leave. Following his leave Harold returned to the Field Company where on 14 Aug 1942 he was promoted Sergeant, having signed up with the 2nd AIF on 22 Jul 1942.

On 17 Feb 1943 he was transferred to the School of Military Engineering (Field) in Liverpool, NSW to undertake specialised training before returning to WA briefly on leave in May 1943. Following his leave he was detached to the 112th Anti-Aircraft Regiment until 3 Nov 1943 when he rejoined his unit which at this time was in the Northern Territory. On 31 Aug 1944 he was sent to the No 1. Australian Training Centre at Canungra in Queensland to undertake a Jungle Warfare Training Course after which he returned to his unit in Darwin.

On 25 Nov 1944 he and his unit boarded the SS Jane Addams for Jacquinot Bay in New Britain, disembarking on 3 Dec 1944. On 12 Jun 1945 he was promoted Staff Sergeant and he remained with his unit until 7 Dec 1945 when he was transferred out of the unit for discharge in Australia. He boarded the HMAS Westralia in Rabaul on 8 Dec 1945, and disembarked in Brisbane on 13 Dec 1945. Returned to WA, he was discharged on 15 Jan 1946.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1954 - 1972 at 1 Church avenue, Armadale, labourer; 1972 listing has no occupation listed.