Charles William (Charlie) Divall
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 4 Feb 1902 |
| Place of Birth | Knockholt, Kent, England |
| Death | 15 Jan 1978, aged 75 |
| Place of Death | Gosnells, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 38 years, 10 months |
| Occupation | dairy farm hand |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Fifth road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Eileen Divall |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | WX10055 |
| Date of Enlistment | 13 Dec 1940 |
| Rank | Private |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 5 Jul 1941 ‒ 25 Jul 1941 |
| Transport Details | HMT Aquitania Fremantle to Port Tewfik |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 13 Mar 1942 ‒ 25 Mar 1942 |
| Transport Details | RMS Laconia Port Tewfik to Colombo, Ceylon |
| Journey Dates | 25 Mar 1942 ‒ 15 May 1942 |
| Transport Details | HMT Duntroon Colombo to Melbourne |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia (Medical) |
| Medals |
1939-45 Star Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
11 year old Charles (Charlie) left London with his Mother, Florence and his 13 years old brother Edward, and 9 years old sister Ethel aboard the SS Armadale on 28 October 1913, arriving in Fremantle on 11 Dec 1913.
Electoral Roll entries: 1925 at Latham, labourer; 1931 - 1937 at 'Nybing' Gnowangerup, farmer
During 1929 Charles married Eileen Clare Oldham (1902 - 1992). Eileen died on 21 Feb 1992 in Mandurah.
War Service
Four days after enlisting at Claremont, Charles reported to the No 3 Training Battalion at Northam camp (17 Dec 1940). On 14 Jan 1941 he was transferred to the No 2 Training Battalion, and then on 25 Feb 1941 to the 13th Training Battalion as a member of the 7th reinforcements for the 2/28th Battalion. He had pre-embarkation leave from 24 - 30 Apr 1941 before spending time in hospital, 28 May to 6 Jun 1941, with a wrist problem.
On 5 Jul 1941 he embarked on the HMT Aquitania, a part of Convoy US 11A from Fremantle to the Middle East via Colombo in Ceylon. On 25 Jul they disembarked at Port Tewfik and he was sent to the 24th Australian Infantry Training Battalion. On 8 Aug 1941 he was attached for duty with the AIF (Middle East) Regimental Officers School. Charles was admitted to the 2/7th Australian General Hospital on 10 Dec 1941 with Myositis and arthritis to the right shoulder. Following treatment he returned to his unit on 3 Jan 1942, and on 6 Feb 1942 his detachment to the Officers School was terminated. On 13 Mar 1942 he embarked on the RMS Laconia in Suez for Colombo, Ceylon, where on 25 Mar 1942 he was transshipped to the HMT Duntroon for Australia, arriving in Melbourne on 15 May 1942.
On 9 Jul 1942 he was sent to Wayville in South Australia. After three days at Wayville he was entrained for Western Australia where he was held at Claremont until seen by a Medical Board on 30 Sep 1940. The result of the board was that he was classified 'D', unsuited for military service. Granted leave from 9 Oct 1942 until 7 Nov 1942 when he was discharged.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1943 - 1949 at Fifth road, Armadale, soldier; 1954 - 1968 at "Burlington', Forrest road, Armadale, Armament assistant; 1972 at 7 Park road, Mandurah, retired; 1977 at 45/52 Southern River road, Gosnells
Notes