Wilfred Brettell Duke
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 13 Feb 1913 |
| Place of Birth | Bombay, India |
| Death | 17 Jan 1981, aged 67 |
| Place of Death | Coogee Beach, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 27 years 11 months |
| Occupation | Dairy Farmer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | 16 Clifton street, Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Evelyn Brettell Duke |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX17309 |
| Date of Enlistment | 20 Oct 1941 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 10th Australian Ordnance Vehicle Park |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 19 Jun 1945 ‒ 29 Jun 1945 |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 24 Nov 1945 ‒ 5 Dec 1945 |
| Transport Details | HM LST 346 Morotai to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
Pre War
Wilfred had completed his education with a certificate in Agriculture from Muresk.
War Service
Wilfred first enlisted on 6 Mar 1941 in the CMF (W33093) and began his training at Claremont on 14 Apr 1941, completing it on 12 Jul 1941, posted to the 121st Reserve Motor Transport Company. On 27 Oct 1941 he was transferred to the Area to enlist in the 2nd AIF having completed the paper work on 20 Oct 1941 at the Western Command General Details Depot in Claremont. On 28 Oct 1941 Wilfred was posted to the 3rd Training Battalion, and the same day posted to the 2/10th Australian Armoured Regiment and moved with them to Puckapunyal in Victoria.
On 9 Dec 1941 he was admitted to the 107th Australian General Hospital for treatment, before being releaased back to his unit on 20 Dec 1941. On 11 Jul 1942 they moved to NSW to undergo further training, and on 11 Dec 1942 they moved to Western Australia. Meanwhile on 22 Nov 1942 he had been appointed as a Group II Specialist Driver/Mechanic. From 15 Oct - 30 Nov 1943 he attended a course for Driver/Mechanics at Puckapunyal. From 27 Feb until 1 Mar 1944 he was treated by the 2/14th Australian Light Field Ambulance for diarrhoea.
On 18 Nov 1944 he married Effie King who was then living at 235 Duke street, Northam. Withthe reduced need for Armour personnel, Wilfred was transferred on 15 Mar 1945 to the 3rd Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion as a General Hand, and on 15 May 1945 he moved again, to the 10th Australian Ordnance Vehicle Park
Discharged 20 Dec 1945.
Post War
Notes