Ernest John Peters

Ernest John Peters

Personal Information
Date of Birth	15 May 1925 (Army records 1923)
Place of Birth	Busselton, Western Australia
Death	9 Jul 2013, aged 88
Place of Death	Tuart Hill, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	17 years, 3 months
Occupation	Sales assistant
Religion	Church of England
Address	Byford, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr. Otto Vivian Peters
Military Information
Reg Number	W4438 & WX31038
Date of Enlistment	1 Sep 1942
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	28 Jan 1946 ‒ 4 Feb 1946
Transport Details	SS Georgetown Victory Rabaul, New Britain to Brisbane
Post War Details
Fate	Returned to Australia
Monument(s)	ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Byford WW2 Honour Roll
Medals	1939-45 Star Pacific Star War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

In 1931 he attended the Oakford school.

War Service

Ernie's original enlistment was in the CMF on Sep 1941, as a Sapper with the Fortress Engineers, Fremantle Fixed Defences. On 18 Oct 1941 Ernie was charged with "Neglecting to obey Camp Standing Orders" for which he was awarded 3 day's Confined to Baracks. On 2 Nov 1941 he was charged with "Asleep while on Picquet Duty at No. 3 Engine Room". This time he was awarded 7 day's Confined to Barracks, and on 24 Nov 1941 he was detached to the Roayal Australian Artillery Barracks. On 11 Dec 1941 Ernie was charged with being "AWOL from 8:00am 8 Dec 1941 until 12 Noon 10 Dec 1941. Fined 40/- ($4.00), forfeit of 3 day's pay (18/-). He then rejoined his normal unit. From 2 - 8 Jun 1942 he was a patient of the 39th Australian Camp Hospital on Rottnest. On 29 Jun 1942 he was again in trouble, charged with being "AWOL from 10:00am 22 Jun 1942 until 10:00am 23 Jun 1942. Fined 20/- ($2) and forfeited a day's pay. On 3 Jul 1942 he was again charged, this time with "Losing by Neglect his Bandolier for which he was fined 20/- and the cost of a replacement bandolier.

On 21 Sep 1942 he re-enlisted, this time in the 2nd AIF with Number WX31038. On 1 May 1943 Ernie transferred from the Fortress Engineers to the CRA Fremantle Fortress. On 23 Oct 1943 he was classified as a Trade Group 3 Engine Hand, and deemed proficient for pay purposes. However, on 26 Jul 1944 he was charged with "Neglect to the Good Order and Military Discipline in that at Rottnest he lost his Paybook. Fined 10/- ($1). He was then transferred on 1 Sep 1944, first to the 155th Anti-Aircraft Searchlight Troop, and then the same day to 1st Australian Base Depot.

On 2 Oct 1944 Ernie was charged with having been "Improperty dressed in Perth at 10:45am on 29 Sep 1944. On 31 Oct 1944 Ernie was posted to the Darwin Coastal Artillery, arriving with his new unit on 15 Nov 1944. He was then transferred to the 28th Australian Infantry Battalion (The Swan Regiment) on 20 Dec 1944, in time to embark in Darwin on 24 Dec 1944 aboard SS Swartenhondt for Jacquinot Bay in New Britain where they disembarked on 30 Dec 1944. On 3 Jan 1946 Ernie was transferred to the 33rd Port Operating Company, and then on 27 Jan 1946 to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot. The following day he embarked on SS Georgetown Victory in Rabaul for Brisbane where he disembarked on 4 Feb 1946.

On 12 Feb 1946 Ernie was charged with being "AWOL from 11:45am on 9 Feb 1946 until 9:00am on 10 Feb 1946.He was fined 10/- and forfeited a days pay.He was discharged on 22 Mar 1946

Post War

During 1953, Ernest married Patricia Grace Patrick.

Electoral Roll entries: 1954 at 327 Onslow road, Shenton Park, carpenter; 1958 - 1977 at 5 Darch street Yokine, joiner; 1980 at 9 Felton street, Balcatta, joiner. In June 1993 Ernest was living at 67B Eldorado street, Tuart Hill.