Reginald James Bollard
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 25 Feb 1907 |
| Place of Birth | Leister, England |
| Death | 27 Nov 1983 |
| Place of Death | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 34 years, 7 months |
| Description | 5'3" (1.60m) tall ; ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair ; scar below left knee |
| Occupation | Brickmaker |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Fifth road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs. Dinah Matilda Bollard |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W16607 & WX31358 |
| Date of Enlistment | 6 Mar 1941 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 124th Australian General Transport Company |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
Pre War
As a four year old, Reginald together with his 2 year old brother Alfred and his parents James and Dinah sailed from London on 18 May 1912 aboard the SS Armadale for Fremantle where they arrived on 1 July.
Electoral Roll entries: 1931 - 1943 at Fifth road, Armadale, labourer;
During 1942 Reg married Marjorie Iris Dale at Fremantle
War Service
On 21 Aug 1941 at Naval Base, Reg was called up for full time duty in the CMF's 109th Australian Convalescent Depot. On 21 Feb 1942 he was transferred to the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion on Rottnest island, remaining there until 26 Aug 1942 when he was transferred to the 3rd Australian Corps Troops Supply Column. On 25 Dec 1942 Reg had married Marjorie Iris Dale in Fremantle, and he changed his next of kin to reflect this. From 25 Jan until 8 Feb 1942 Reg was detached to the 4th Australian Infantry Division.
On 15 April 1943 Reg transferred to the 37th Australian Company AASC at Werribee (W.A.), and on 2 Jun 1943 he transferred to the 2nd AIF with a new Army number of WX31358. On 1 Jul 1943 he was considered to be proficient and on 12 Dec 1943 Reg began a course at the 4th Motor Transport Training Centre at Graylands, however, it was cancelled four days later. He was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital from 13 - 18 Jan 1944 before transferring to the 118th Australian General Hospital from 18 Jan - 16 Feb 1944 when he was released to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot where he was seen by a Medical Board on 8 Mar 1944 which reclassified him 'B'. A week later on 15 Mar 1944 he was sent to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for re-assignment.
On 6 Jun 1944 Reg was transferred to the 137th Australian General Transport Company, where he faced another Medical Board with the finding that he was "B1" with a weak left wrist (a bone had been removed). On 18 Sep 1944 he was transferred to the 124th Australian General Transport Company and on the 25th he was detached to the 8th Australian Supply Depot Company. Although he returned to his unit 5 days later on 30 Sep 1944, he was detached again to the 8th Australian Supply Depot Company this time from 16 Oct 1944 until he returned ot his unit on 28 Feb 1945. On 4 Jun 1945 his medical status was again reviewed, and he was classified 'B2' with his left wrist precluding him from any rifle drill. From 11 -15 Jul 1945 Reg was a patient of the York District Hospital with gastritis.
On 19 Oct 1945 he was transferred to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot where he was discharged on 25 Oct 1945.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1954 - 1980 at 54 Sixth road, Armadale, labourer
Notes
From 1931 Reg's mother Dinah is listed as a teacher, his father having died in 1929.