Ernest Emanuel Mills
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 7 May 1916 |
| Place of Birth | Armadale, Western Australia |
| Death | 1 Apr 2006, aged 89 |
| Place of Death | Perth, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 24 years, 4 months |
| Description | 5'9½" (1.76m) tall ; ; dark complexion ; hazel eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Bus driver |
| Religion | Congregational |
| Address | Seventh road, Armadale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr Emanuel Mills |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W942 & WX26120 |
| Date of Enlistment | 22 Jul 1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 2/7th Transport Platoon |
| Military Movement | |
| 1st Departure from Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 27 May 1945 ‒ 13 Jun 1945 |
| Transport Details | LST 911 Cairns to Morotai |
| Transfers | |
| Journey Dates | 9 Jul 1945 ‒ 10 Jul 1945 |
| Transport Details | USS LST 1007 Morotai to Balikpapan |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 23 Dec 1945 ‒ 31 Dec 1945 |
| Transport Details | SS Kings Point Victory Balikpapan to Brisbane |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
Pre War
War Service
On 3 Sep 1940 Ernest was enlisted into the CMF at Victoria Park and allocated to the 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment ww2. On 5 Jan 1941 he entered training camp at Bunbury and while Part time participated in training. He was called up for full time duty on 24 Dec 1941 and almost immediately was charged at Wanneroo on 17 Jan 1942 with Failing to appear at a place of parade for which he was fined 6/- (60 cents) or a day's pay. On 24 Mar 1942 he was appointed Lance Corporal while with the 10th Recce Battalion and on 15 May 1942 he was again guilty of AWOL, and again was fined 6/- while being reprimanded. Soon afterwards on 4 Jun 1942 he reverted to the rank of Private. Ernest then enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 22 Jul 1942 and was allocated a new number (WX26120).
In September 1942 Ernest commenced a driver/Maintenance course, followed by one for mechanics from 12 Dec 1942 to 6 Mar 1943, qualifying as Trade Group II Mechanic. He was granted leave before joining the 10th Light Horse as a mechanic on 6 Mar 1943. On the 22nd he was transferred on paper to AEME which was taking responsibility for related trades. On 12 May 1944 Ernest entrained in Perth for NSW where on 27 May 1944 he was posted to the 1st Australian Base Depot Personnel. On 12 Jun 1944 he was sent north to the Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion (Jungle Warfare) and following training was posted to the 2/7th Australian Transport Platoon on 30 Oct 1944. Three days later he was sent on a Waterproofing course.
On 9 Jul 1945 Ernest embarked on USS LST 911 in Cairns for Morotai where he disembarked on 13 Jun 1945. On 9 Jul he then embarked on USS LST 1007 at Morotai for Balikpapan where he disembarked a day or so later. Hostilities over and troop numbers began to decrease leading to units shedding men saw Ernest transferred to the 2/9th Australian Transport Platoon on 28 Nov 1945 before he embarked on 23 Dec 1945 aboard SS Kings Point Victory at Balikpapan for Brisbane where he disembarked on 31 Dec 1945. On 12 Jan 1946 he had reached Perth and was posted to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for discharge on 25 Feb 1946.
Post War
During 1946 Ernest married Audrey Booth (maiden name was Gettingby). Audrey died 13 Aug 1976, aged 57.
Electoral Roll entries: 1958 - 1968 at Third road, Armadale, truck driver; 1972 - 1980 at 421 Railway avenue, truck driver
Notes