Fred Alexander McKelvie

Fred Alexander McKelvie

Personal Information
Date of Birth	14 Jan 1924
Place of Birth	Busselton, Western Australia
Death	5 Feb 1988
Place of Death	South Australia
Age at Enlistment	18 years, 6 months
Description
Occupation	Tractor driver
Religion	Methodist
Address	William street, Armadale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father , Mr. George McKelvie
Military Information
Reg Number	[W400130 & WX34250]
Date of Enlistment	31 Jul 1942
Rank	Gunner
Unit/Formation	1st Australian Cavalry Commando Training Squadron
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia Medical discharge
Medals	War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

Prior to enlistment was working at the Byford State Brickworks.

War Service

Fred was originally a member of the militia, having joined on 31 Jul 1942 as a General Reinforcement. On 11 Aug 1942 he was transferred to the 13th Australian Infantry Training Battalion at Northam, however, on 18 Aug 1942 he was shifted to Artilery and the 4th Australian Artillery Training Depot. The day before he had been charged with failing to appear at a Place of Parade, for which he was fined 10/- ($1).

On 20 Oct 1942 his unit was renamed as the 12th Australian Artillery Training Battery and on the same day he enlisted in the 2nd AIF with a Regimental Number of WX34250. Fred was AWOL from midnight 15 Dec 1942 until 7:30am on 18 Dec 1042. He was admonished and forfeited three day's pay. He was again in trouble when he was again AWOL, from midnight on 2 Feb 1943 until 6:45am on 6 Feb 1943. He was find £3, and forfeited 4 day's pay. Fred was transferred on 12 Mar 1943 to HQ Karrakatta until 19 Feb 1943 when he was transferred to HQ Royal Australian Artillery, 1st Australian Armoured Division. Fred received treatment from a Main Dressing Station on 5 & 6 Apr 1943. He then entrained on 1 Oct 1943 at Bellevue for the Greta Traing Centre in New South Wales, arriving there on 8 October.

Fred was arrested in Newcastle NSW on 17 Nov 1943, drunk, at 3:30pm. He was transferred on 14 Dec 1943 to the 7th Australian Infantry Training Brigade, allocated to the 25th Australian Infantry Training Battalion where he attended a Mortar course from 31 Jan until 27 Feb 1944. On 15 Mar 1944 he was sent to Australian Reinforcement Training Battalion (Jungle Warfare). However, after 3 days, on 19 Mar 1944, he was transferred to the 1st Australian Cavalry Commando Training Squadron. Fred was evacuated to the 22nd Australian Camp Hospital on 28 Apr 1944, and was transferred on 11 May 1944 to the 112th Military Hospital (Brisbane). They in turn, on 22 Jun 1944, transferred him to the 106th Australian General Hospital.

In Melbourne on 27 Jun 1944 he was placed on a train for Perth, where on arrival on 1 Jul 1944 he was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital with Paresis. On 21 Jul 1944 he was transferred to the 118th Australian General Hospital, and then on 16 Aug 1944 to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot. While with this unit he was AWOL from midnight 28 Aug 1944 until 10:00pm on 30 Aug 1944. He was fined £2, and forfeited a day's pay. On 8 Sep 1944 he was seen by a Medical Board and his status changed to "B2" (left leg), suitable for sedentary duties only.

On 30 Nov 1944 Fred was transferred to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot, following a further Medical Board which classified him as "D". Fred was discharged on 7 Dec 1944 on medical grounds (Palsy left leg).

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1945 at 35 King William street, Baswater, labourer;