Antonio Del Borrello

Antonio Del Borrello

Personal Information
Date of Birth	7 Apr 1921
Place of Birth	Vasto, Chieti Province, Italy
Death	25 Apr 2005, aged 84
Place of Death	Armadale, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	17 years, 10 months for CMF
Description	5'6" (1.68m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; brown eyes ; black hair
Occupation	Orchardist
Religion	Roman Catholic
Address	Roleystone, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Nick Del Borrello
Military Information
Reg Number	WX26196 & W488
Date of Enlistment	8 Feb 1939
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	2/12th Australian Commando Squadron
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	28 Apr 1945 ‒ 9 May 1945
Transport Details	SS Charles Lummis Cairns to Morotai
Transfers
Journey Dates	12 Jul 1945 ‒ 15 Jul 1945
Transport Details	USS LCI 1075 Morotai to British North Borneo
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	3 Nov 1945 ‒ 8 Nov 1045
Transport Details	HM LST 408 Labuan to Morotai
Journey Dates	10 Nov 1945 ? ‒ 21 Nov 1945?
Transport Details	HM LST 408? Morotai to Brisbane?
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

War Service

Antonio's initial enlistment was at Gosnells with the CMF unit 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment ww2 having joined them on 8 Feb 1939 on a part time basis. On 17 Dec 1941 he was called up for full time duty following a camp at Bunbury from 7 July until 4 October 1941. On 20 Dec 1941 he was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital, returning to his unit on 26 Dec 1941. However, within a day he required medical attention for an infected hand, and was admitted to the Bunbury District Hospital until 3 Jan 1942 when he rejoined his unit whose designation had changed to 10th Australian Reconnaissance Battalion.

He was next seen on 17 Jan 1942 by the 8th Australian Casualty Clearing Station at Wanneroo before being released back to his unit on 22 Jan 1942. From 28 Jan until 1 Feb 1942 he was again treated by the 8th Australian Casualty Clearing Station, cause not listed. On 8 Apr 1942 Antonio was charged with having been AWOL (no details, but as he only forfeited 1 day's pay, the period was less than 24 hours). On 28 Apr 1942 he was admitted to the Camp Dressing Station with Influenza - his records are silent about when he returned to duty. On 2 Jun 1942 Antonio was charged with having been AWOL again - unspecified, but forfeits 2 days pay. A repeat offence saw him on 1 Jul 1942 again forfeit a day's pay and earn 7 days Confined to Barracks. On 6 Jun 1943 he was admitted to the 5th Australian Light Field Ambulance, and they on 8 Jun 1943 passed him into the care of the 118th Australian General Hospital with Tinea. On 16 June he was discharged to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot who released him on 7 Jul 1943 to return to his unit. However, before reaching them he was treated by the Dental Hospital, and spent two days with the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot.

On 27 Sep 1943 Antonio returned to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot, this time to be evaluated for selection to join the 1st Australian Parachute Battalion. He returned to the 10th Light Horse on 4 Oct 1943. (see note below). On 8 Mar 1944 Antonio was granted LWOP until 3 May 1944. During his absence the 10th Light Horse had been disbanded, and on 12 May 1944 Antonio entrained for New South Wales to be re-deployed. On 13 June he joined the 16th Australian Infantry Training Battalion and on 29 Sep 1944 he was sent to the Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion (Jungle Warfare) at Canungra in Queensland. Following his course he was transferred to the 2/12th Australian Commando Squadron on 13 Nov 1944.

On 26 Apr 1945 in Cairns he boarded SS Charles Lummis which sailed at 11:25pm on the 28th for Morotai via Biak Island. Antonio and his unit disembarked after the ship had arrived in Morotai 1 minute after midnight on 8/9 May 1945. On 27 Oct 1945 Antonio was transferred to the 66th Australian Infantry Battalion and then on 12 Jul 1945 he boarded USS LCI 1075 for North Borneo. On 3 Nov 1945 Antonio embarked at Labuan on HM LST 408 for Morotai where he arrived on 8 Nov 1945. His records don't reveal how he made his way back to WA, but it is likely that he remained on LST 408 as it continued to Brisbane, arriving there on 21 Nov 1945. On 27 Dec 1945 he posted to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for re-allocation. On 15 Feb 1946 he was transferred to the 26th Australian Works Company until 19 March when he returned to the RR & GDD for discharge. That took place on 21 Mar 1946.

CMF from 17 Dec 1941 - 7 Jul 1942 LWOP 8 Mar 1944 - 17 Apr 1944 2nd AIF 8 Jul 1942 - 21 Mar 1946 SWP 28 Apr 1945 - 1 Jan 1946

Post War

Mary Catena Electoral Roll entries: 1977 - 1980 at 243 Shepperton road, East Victoria Park, truck driver. 1988 living at 9 Anham street, Armadale

Notes

Two pages of Antonio's Army records held by the Australian Archives do not display correctly and they may cover the missing period Oct 1943 until Mar 1944.