Arthur Gordon Fielder

Arthur Gordon Fielder

Personal Information
Date of Birth	6 September 1915
Place of Birth	Armadale, Western Australia
Death	21 November 1990
Place of Death	Rossmoyne, Westen Australia
Age at Enlistment	25 years, 5 months
Description	5'6" (1.68m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; brown eyes ; fair hair ; mole on right forearm
Occupation	Nurseryman
Religion	Church of England
Address	Harvey, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr Charles Fielder
Military Information
Reg Number	W25421 & WX32926
Date of Enlistment	13 Mar 1941
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	2/32nd Australian Infantry Battalion
Military Movement
1st Departure from Australia
Journey Dates	23 Apr 1945 ‒ 1 May 1945
Transport Details	USS General J.H. McRae (AP - 149) Townsville to Morotai
Transfers
Journey Dates	4 Jun 1945 ‒ 10 Jun 1945
Transport Details	LST 562 or LST 573 Morotai to Labuan
Return to Australia
Journey Dates	14 Jan 1946 ‒ 27 Jan 1946
Transport Details	SS Eastern Prince Labuan to Sydney
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Medals	Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

War Service

On 31 Oct 1941 Arthur enlisted in the CMF at Bunbury and was initially posted to the 44th Australian Infantry Battalion (West Australian Rifle Regiment). On 5 Jan 1942 this changed with his call up for full time duty when he was posted to the 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment ww2. On 21 Apr 1942 the unit name changed to the 10th Reconnaissance Battalion, and on 31 May 1942 he was a member of 'A' Company. On 16 Jun 1942 he was transferred to the 25th Australian Reconnaissance Battalion, and yet another change saw Arthur returned to the 44th Australian Infantry Battalion (West Australian Rifle Regiment) on 4 Jul 1942. On 1 Oct 1942 Arthur enlisted in the 2nd AIF, remaining with his current unit.

On 4 Jun 1943 Athur completed a Motor Verhicle Trade Training Course at Graylands and went on to undertake a Mechanical Servicing Course which he completed, but failed to gain a pass. Arthur had been granted proficiency pay on 1 Jul 1943. He rejoined his battalion on 12 Jan 1944 and they entrained at Midland Junction for Queensland on 11 Feb 1944. There on 5 Jul 1944 Arthur was transferred to the 2/32nd Australian Infantry Battalion. On 23 Apr 1945 this unit embarked in Townsville on the USS General J.H. McRae (AP - 149) for Morotai, sailing the same evening, and disembarking there on 1 May 1945. Following a period preparing for a landing on Borneo the batalion was embarked on LSTs 562 and 573 and on 4 Jun 1945 as part of an 83 ship convoy (later increased to 104 ships when other joined them) sailed for Labuan Island in Brunei Bay where the landing took place on 10 Jun 1945. On 17 June the battalion transferred to the mainland, landing near Weston and facing only limited enemy resistance as they advanced to Beaufort and then to Papar where they were at the conclusion of hostilities.

Arthur embarked on SS Eastern Prince in Labuan on 14 Jan 1946 for Sydney, where he disembarked on 27 Jan 1946, and was then sent on to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for discharge which took place on 11 Mar 1946.