Frederick Charles Lawrence
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 18 Mar 1922 |
| Place of Birth | Gloustershire, England |
| Death | 28 Feb 2017, aged 94 |
| Place of Death | Success, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 19 years, 3 months |
| Description | 5'7" (1.70m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; black hair |
| Occupation | Dairy farmer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Byford, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Ernest Lawrence |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W4940 & WX30332 |
| Date of Enlistment | 18 Jul 1942 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 52nd Australian General Transport Platoon |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 21 Nov 1944 ‒ 29 Nov 1944 |
| Transport Details | USAT Evangaline Darwin to Jacquinot Bay, New Britain |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 28 Jan 1946 ‒ 4 Feb 1946 |
| Transport Details | SS Georgetown Victory Rabaul to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument(s) | ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Pacific Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
Fred enlisted in the CMF on a part time basis on 14 Jul 1941. On 20 Feb 1942 he was posted to the 29th Australian Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery, and on 22 Aug 1942 he was stationed with the 420th Gun Station. On 21 Oct 1942 he was seen by the Melville Camp Hospital, but returned to his unit the same day. He entrained in Perth on 22 Jan 1943 for the Northern Territory, arriving there on 4 Feb 1943 where he was posted to the 135th Australian Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery and from 1 Jul 1943 he received proficiency pay.
On 10 Feb 1944 Fred was transferred to the 24th Australian Company AASC where he was to serve with his brothers Albert and Ernest. Following a 10 day detachment to HQ 13th Australian Infantry Brigade he rejoined his unit which was by then known as the 52nd Transport Platoon. On 21 Nov 1944 he embarked on USAT Evangaline in Darwin for Jacquinot Bay on the south coast of New Britain, disembarking there on 29 Nov 1944.
On New Britain he was detached to the HQ 13th Australian Infantry Brigade from 25 April until 19 July 1945. On 27 Jan 1946 he was transferred on paper to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot, and on 28 Jan 1946 he boarded the SS Georgetown Victory in Rabaul for Brisbane, disembarking there on 4 Feb 1946. He arrived in Western Australia on 13 Mar 1946 and was discharged on 15 Mar 1946.
Post War
During 1946 Fred married Dorothy M O'Leary in Fremantle
Electoral Roll entries:
Notes