Alexander James Harris

Alexander James Harris

Personal Information
Date of Birth	18 Jun 1919
Place of Birth	Armadale, Western Australia
Death	11 Dec 2004, aged 85
Place of Death	Bunbury, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	20 years
Description
Occupation	Painter
Religion	Church of England
Address	Lovegrove avenue, Bunbury, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr. Edward Harris
Military Information
Reg Number	W11319
Date of Enlistment	3 Jan 1940
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	28th Australian Infantry Battalion (The Swan Regiment)
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	24 Dec 1944 ‒ 30 Dec 1944
Transport Details	SS Swartenhondt Darwin to Jacquinot Bay, New Britain
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	10 Oct 1945 ‒ 18 Oct 1945
Transport Details	SS Ormiston Jacquinot Bay to Sydney
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

War Service

Alexander enlisted in the CMF at Bunbury on 3 Jan 1940 and was allocated to the 44th Australian Infantry Battalion (West Australian Rifle Regiment). On 18 Aug 1941 he entered training camp at Melville where on 8 Sep 1941 he was convicted of stealing a money belt, and was given 14 days in detention, before rejoining his unit on 18 Sep 1941. He was called up for full time service on 19 Dec 1941. On 26 Jan 1942 at Bushmead he was found guilty of having been AWOL from midnight 23 Jan 1942 until 6:15am on 26 Jan 1942. He was again placed in detention, this time for another 14 days, rejoining his unit on 9 Feb 1942. On 2 Mar 1942 he was transferred to Area, and his records next show him as being called up for full time duty on 4 Aug 1942 (Did he spend time part time, or discharged and re-enlisted?).

On 12 Aug 1942 he was transferred to the 13th Australian Infantry Training Battalion in Northam. He was then sent to the 14th Australian Infantry Special Group Mortar training from 11 - 24 Nov 1942 before being transferred to the 28th Australian Infantry Battalion (The Swan Regiment) on 6 Feb 1943. From 23 - 27 Feb 1943 he was provided with medical treatment from the Main Dressing Station before entraining on 5 Mar 1943 for Adelaide where he arrived on 16 Mar 1943. Ten days later his unit moved north to the Northern Territory, arriving there on 30 Mar 1943.

On 8 Apr 1943 he was admitted to the 119th Australian General Hospital with gastro-enteritis and they released him to his unit via the Northern Territory Force Recreation Camp on 14 Apr 1943. On 11 May he again needed the services of the 119th Australian General Hospital with them transferring him to the 121st Australian General Hospital on 12 May 1943. Alexander was returned to his unit, again via the NT Recreation Camp, on 3 Jun 1943. From 1 Jul 1943 he received proficiency pay, and on 2 Nov 1943 he was admitted to the 107th Australian General Hospital suffering with Diarrhoea, returning to his unit on 6 Nov 1943.

On 14 Mar 1944 he was charged with having on 12 Mar 1944 failed to appear at a place of parade appointed by his Company Commander. He was fined 5/- (50 cents, but equivalent to a day's pay). On 2 Dec 1944 he was again admitted to the 107th Australian General Hospital, remaining with them for treatment of Enteritis until 13 Dec 1944. On 23 Dec 1944 Alexander embarked in Darwin on SS Swartenhondt for Jacquinot Bay on New Britain, arriving there at 1:00am on 30 Dec 1944.

Alexander was evacuated to the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance with Diarrhoea on 1 Mar 1945, and on the same day they transferred him to the 105th Australian Casualty Clearing Station who treated him until he was released to the 5th Australian Division's Rest Camp on 22 Mar 1945. On 2 Apr 1945 he had rejoined his unit, the 28th Battalion. Alexander spent from 26 to 29 May 1945 treated by the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance before being transferred on 9 Oct 1945 to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot to prepare for his discharge. On 10 Oct 1945 he boarded the SS Ormiston in Torokina for Sydney arriving there in the evening of 17 October and disembarking the following day. By 10 Nov 1945 he had arrived at Karrakatta where he was granted priority for discharge on the basis of employment reasons, and was discharged on 12 Nov 1945.

Post War

Married Esther May ? (1913 - 2014).

Electoral Roll entries: 1943 -1963 at 20 Lovegrove avenue, Bunbury, labourer; from 1949 on a painter; 1972 - 1980 living at 119 King road, Bunbury