Winston Gordon Barge

Winston Gordon Barge

Personal Information
Date of Birth	24 Dec 1922
Place of Birth	North Perth, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	19 years, 11 months
Occupation	Farm hand
Religion	Church of England
Address	Byford, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr Ebenezer Barge
Military Information
Reg Number	W55095 & WX35899
Date of Enlistment	26 Feb 1942
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	37/52nd Australian Infantry Battalion (Henty Regiment)
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	19 Feb 1945 ‒ 24 Feb 1945
Transport Details	HMT Katoomba Brisbane to Jacquinot Bay, New Britain
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	28 Feb 1946 ‒ 6 Mar 1946
Transport Details	MS Anatina Rabaul to Sydney
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

War Service

Initially enlisted in the Militia where he was called up for full time duty and posted to the 11th Battalion for training. On 5 Sep 1942 he was transferred to the 20th Defence and Employment Platoon where on 17 Dec 1942 he enlisted in the AIF. Winston was AWOL on 10 May 1943 for 45 minutes, and was fined a day's pay and given 7 days Confined to Barracks. Still with his unit (now labelled the 3rd Australian Corps Defence and Employment Platoon), on 1 Jul 1943 he was granted Proficiency Pay. On 13 May 1944 he was charged with Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline in that he left the Guard Room without orders from his superior officer. He was awarded 3 days Confined to Barracks.

On 14 Jul 1944 he entrained for New South Wales, and on 24 Aug 1944 he was posted to the 21st Australian Infantry Training Battalion. On 3 Nov 1944 he was transferred to the Australian Jungle Warfare Training Centre. On the completion of his training he was posted to the 37/52nd Australian Infantry Battalion (Henty Regiment) on 11 Dec 1944. He would have enjoyed some pre-embarkation leave before they boarded the HMT Katoomba in Brisbane for Jacquinot Bay in New Britain where he served with them until 28 Feb 1946 when he boarded the MS Anatina in Rabaul for Sydney, arriving there on 6 Mar 1946.

Arriving back in Western Australia on 9 Apr 1946 he was posted to the Marrinup Prisoner of War Camp (Camp No 16), but on 6 May 1946 he was taken back to Perth where he entered the 110th Australian Base Hospital suffering from a malaria attack. Released from hospital on 18 May 1946 he was back with the POW camp on 21 May 1946. On 2 Jul 1946 he was released from these duties and was discharged on 8 Jul 1946.