Vesey Fitzgerald
From Our Contribution
 courtesy Michelle Robbins via Ancestry | |
 Fitzgerald Wedding Nov 1928 courtesy M Robbins | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 16 Oct 1904 |
| Place of Birth | Northam, Western Australia |
| Death | 11 Jul 1983, aged 78 |
| Place of Death | Maylands, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 36 years, 7 months |
| Occupation | Forestry worker |
| Religion | Protestant |
| Address | c/- Blackburns, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Edna Hilda Fitzgerald |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX13615 |
| Date of Enlistment | 28 May 1941 |
| Rank | Warrant Officer Class 2 |
| Unit/Formation | 134th Australian Brigade Workshops |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 10 May 1945 ‒ 22 May 1945 |
| Transport Details | USAT Sea Ray Brisbane to Morotai, Netherlands East Indies |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 21 Jun 1945 ‒ 23 Jun 1945 |
| Transport Details | USS LST 614 Morotai to Labuan, British North Borneo |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 10 Dec 1945 ‒ 19 Dec 1945 |
| Transport Details | USAT Pachaug Victory Labuan to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
Pre War
On 8 Nov 1928 Vesey married Edna Hilda Kemp (1912 - 1996). Daughters Zillah Phyllis Fitzgerald (1929–1966); Lynette Geraldine Fitzgerald (1938–2013).
Electoral Roll entries: 1931 at Toodyay, 1936 - 1937 Jarrahdale, Forestry Officer; 1943 Gleneagle, Forestry Officer.
War Service
Vesey enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 28 May 1941, and on 30 May he was posted to the Western Command Training Depot AASC at Claremont. He was detached on 5 Sep 1941 to the Western Command Army Trades Training Depot where he attended, at Perth Technical College, the No 8 Course in Motor Transport Mechanics. On 19 Mar 1942 he was appointed Lance Corporal before being transferred on 24 Mar 1942 to the 108th Independent Brigade Workshop with his trade grouping as a Fitter TG1. On 26 Jun 1942 Vesey was promoted Acting Corporal, and on 21 Aug 1942 he was promoted again, this time as an Acting Sergeant.
On 10 Sep 1942 Vesey was transferred to the 55th Division Ordnance Workshop and his promotion to Sergeant was confirmed. Following some leave, on 2 Feb 1943 he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. Vesey was then detached to the HQ 13th Australian Infantry Brigade, and he entrained in Perth for Adelaide where he arrived on 16 Mar 1943. Four days later on the 20th, he entrained for the Northern Territory arriving there on 29 Mar 1943. Next, Vesey was sent on a 14 days map reading course from 10 - 25 Mar 1943.
From 12 Jun 1943 until 16 Aug 1943 Vesey was detached to the 13th Australian Ordnance Stores Company, and on 20 Jul 1943 his parent unit's changed name from 108th Independent Brigade Workshop to the 134th Australian Brigade Workshop. On 18 Feb 1944 Vesey embarked in Sydney aboard the HMT Duntroon for Darwin, disembarking there on 28 Feb 1944. He was admitted to the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance from 14 - 17 Jun 1944 for treatment for bronchitis. From 5 - 8 Dec 1944 he was admitted to the 2nd Australian Camp Hospital for a health investigation - no result noted in his records. On 31 Dec 1944 Vesey was sent to the local School of Mechanisation to undertake a Course, rejoining his unit on 9 Feb 1945.
On 10 May 1945 Vesey embarked with the 134th Australian Brigade Workshop on USAT Sea Ray in Brisbane for Morotai where he disembarked on 22 May 1945. On 21 Jun 1945 he embarked on USS LST 614 in Morotai for Labuan in British North Borneo. He was transferred on 28 Sep 1945 to 2/67th Australian Light Aid Detachment and on 9 Oct 1945 he was promoted Acting Warrant Officer Grade 2. This rank was confirmed a month later on 9 Nov 1945. He was transferred on 10 Dec 1945 to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for demobilisation, and to do this he embarked at Labuan aboard USAT Pachaug Victory on 10 Dec 1945 and disembarked in Brisbane on 19 Dec 1945. He arrived back in Western Australia on 11 Jan 1946 and was discharged on 16 Jan 1946.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at 112 Ardross street, Applecross, mechanic; 1958 - 1963 at Carnamah, mechanic; 1968 - 1977 at 112 Ardross street, Applecross, mechanic; 1980 at 4/12 Tenth avenue, Maylands, retired
Notes